Browns’ Deshaun Watson makes pitch to Bengals’ Tee Higgins to sign with the AFC North rival this offseason

Tee Higgins is unlikely to become a free agent this offseason. But if that’s the case, Deshaun Watson wants Higgins to consider joining Cleveland. Watson recently offered Higgins to join the Cleveland Browns, who made the playoffs last season despite season-ending injuries to Watson and perennial Pro Bowl running back Nick Chubb.

“We want to pass the ball. That’s what we’re going to do. Watson spoke with quarterbacks coach Quincy Avery on the Avery podcast, via Sports Illustrated. “We pass the ball a lot”

Watson then spoke indirectly to Higgins, who has played a key role in the Bengals’ success since arriving in Cincinnati in 2020. “We’ll take care of you,” Watson said. “Cleveland fans love you to death. There are the Clemson Badgers. “We can’t play together, but this is our chance.”

Will Watson get her wish? That doesn’t seem likely, at least not this offseason.

The Bengals plan to apply the franchise tag to Higgins, keeping him in Cincinnati through the 2024 season. But beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess.

Cincinnati’s players and front office made it clear how much they appreciate Higgins, who scored two touchdowns in the Bengals’ three-point loss to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI. But the team must re-sign Ja Marr Chase, whose salary would make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league.

Higgins doesn’t get paid as much as Chase, but he still makes $20 million a season. According to Spotrac, his current market value is $18.6 million per season over four years. It’s a steal for a player of Higgins’ caliber. There’s no denying that Higgins will improve the Browns’ offense. Despite the injuries, this unit ranked 10th in the NFL last season. The offense was led by wide receiver Amari Cooper and tight end David Njoku, both of whom posted Pro Bowl campaigns.