As the 2023 NFL offseason begins, two major storylines are making waves: the future of wide receiver Tee Higgins with the Cincinnati Bengals and the New York Jets’ plans to upgrade their roster. Both teams face pivotal moments in their franchise’s development, and these storylines could have a significant impact on the AFC landscape moving forward.

Tee Higgins’ Future with the Bengals

Tee Higgins has been a key player for the Cincinnati Bengals, especially alongside superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Higgins, who was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, has quickly established himself as one of the top wideouts in the league. His ability to make big plays, stretch the field, and provide a reliable option for quarterback Joe Burrow has made him an integral part of the Bengals’ offense.

However, Higgins’ future with the team is now in question, as the Bengals are facing a situation that many successful teams eventually encounter: balancing a roster filled with star talent while staying within the salary cap constraints. With Burrow, Chase, and running back Joe Mixon all occupying significant portions of the Bengals’ salary cap, Higgins may find himself on the move, especially with his contract set to expire after the 2023 season.

Higgins is eligible for a contract extension, and while he’s been vocal about wanting to stay with the Bengals, there are several factors that could influence his future. The Bengals will have to make tough decisions regarding their financial future. With Burrow poised to sign a massive extension soon, keeping Higgins at the same time could become financially unsustainable. The Bengals could either choose to pay Higgins and retain their core trio or consider trading him to free up cap space and stockpile draft assets.

The 2023 offseason will be crucial for Higgins’ future with the Bengals. If the team decides to move on from him, there will be a high demand for a wide receiver of his caliber. Teams with quarterback issues or those looking for a reliable No. 2 receiver to complement their star wideout may see Higgins as a game-changer. A trade would also bring in assets that could help the Bengals continue to build around Burrow and Chase for the long term.

That being said, the Bengals will be reluctant to let go of one of their key offensive weapons, especially after their strong playoff runs in recent years. If the team can find a way to keep Higgins while also managing their cap space, they would be able to maintain one of the league’s most explosive offenses.

Jets’ Offseason Plans

While the Bengals are focused on roster management, the New York Jets are facing their own set of challenges this offseason. After a disappointing 2022 season that saw them miss the playoffs, the Jets are entering a crucial period of team-building that could define their future. With a young and talented roster, the biggest question mark for the Jets is at the quarterback position.

The Jets’ offense, led by offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and rising stars like running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson, showed flashes of potential throughout the 2022 season. However, the team’s inability to find consistent quarterback play has been their downfall. Zach Wilson, the former No. 2 overall pick, failed to live up to expectations, and backup quarterback Mike White showed flashes but couldn’t lead the team consistently.

As a result, the Jets are expected to be very active in the quarterback market this offseason. Reports suggest that the team is looking to bring in a veteran quarterback, with names like Derek Carr, Jimmy Garoppolo, and even Aaron Rodgers being mentioned as potential targets. A veteran quarterback would provide the stability the Jets need to take the next step and compete in the stacked AFC East.

In addition to addressing the quarterback position, the Jets are also focused on building up their defense, which was one of the best in the league last season. With players like defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and cornerback Sauce Gardner leading the way, the Jets have a strong defensive foundation. However, they will need to continue adding talent to their defensive line and secondary to make sure they remain a top-tier unit.

The Jets also need to continue developing their offensive line to better protect their new quarterback and create running lanes for Hall. If the Jets are able to fix their offensive line issues, they could see significant improvement in their offense in 2023.

The Bottom Line: What Does It All Mean?

As the Bengals face tough decisions with Tee Higgins and the Jets focus on quarterback upgrades, both teams have exciting futures ahead. For the Bengals, they are on the cusp of continuing their Super Bowl contention with Joe Burrow leading the way. Keeping Higgins would be key to that mission, but it will depend on the team’s ability to navigate their salary cap issues. If they can make it work, they’ll be even more dangerous on offense, with a trio of Burrow, Higgins, and Chase that can compete with the best of them.

For the Jets, the offseason will be all about finding a solution at quarterback. If they can secure a proven veteran to lead their offense, combined with their young playmakers and elite defense, the Jets could very well find themselves in playoff contention sooner than expected. With a strong defense and promising offensive weapons, the missing piece for the Jets is a quarterback who can elevate the entire team.

In the end, both the Bengals and Jets are looking to solidify their future, and how they handle these critical offseason decisions will determine whether they can compete for championships in the years to come.