Two dream free agent signings the Chicago Bears must pursue
Tee Higgins, WR - Cincinnati Bengals
Let me start by clarifying: This is very unlikely to happen, but let's dream. Tee Higgins to the Chicago Bears makes sense. The Bears need a competent wide receiver to pair alongside D.J. Moore, and they have the money to pay Higgins what he wants.
Outside of Moore, the Bears lack any viable receiving threats. Darnell Mooney's time looks to be ending bitterly after a disappointing season, while guys like Tyler Scott, Equanimeous St. Brown, and Velus Jones Jr. bring almost no value in the passing game. Higgins would be an immediate upgrade over all four receivers and provide stability and consistency at the WR2 spot for the first time since the Matt Nagy days.
Despite not being the Bengals' top wide receiver, Higgins is a star. Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he's been as good as advertised. He recorded 67 receptions for 908 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. Higgins followed up his rookie campaign with 74 receptions, a career-high 1091 yards, and six touchdowns in 2021. 2022 saw more of the same as he tallied 74 receptions for 1024 yards and seven touchdowns. His 2023 season was marred by injury, but he still caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns.
Higgins will come at a hefty price, but the benefits of signing him will make the deal worth it. Not only would they add one of the best young receivers in the league, but it would also give the Bears the flexibility to use their draft picks to add blue-chip talent at other positions of need. Without the pressing need to draft a wide receiver, Chicago can look towards another direction and pick between other prospects such as Joe Alt, Dallas Turner, Brock Bowers, and others at ninth overall.
The duo of Moore and Higgins would instantly be one of the best in the league and give the Bears their best wide receiver one-two punch since Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery: the 6-foot-4 Higgins' field-stretching and jump-ball ability pairs perfectly with D.J. Moore's game. A quarterback could only dream of having both players on their team.
It's time to be realistic, though. Higgins will most likely either be re-signed or franchise-tagged by the Bengals. But in an improbable scenario where the 25-year-old hits the open market, general manager Ryan Poles needs to be all over it and offer a deal he can't refuse.