Packers' most obvious path to acquire a WR1 is already off the table after latest NFL news
It was never an easy conclusion, but there was still some level of hope that the Green Bay Packers could sign wide receiver Tee Higgins. Well, that scenario is completely off the table now. According to beat writer James Rapien, the Cincinnati Bengals will use the non-exclusive franchise tag on Higgins for the second consecutive […]
It was never an easy conclusion, but there was still some level of hope that the Green Bay Packers could sign wide receiver Tee Higgins. Well, that scenario is completely off the table now. According to beat writer James Rapien, the Cincinnati Bengals will use the non-exclusive franchise tag on Higgins for the second consecutive year.
It will be a non-exclusive franchise tag, so technically a team can still sign Higgins to an offer sheet. The Bengals would have the option to match the offer or to receive two first-round picks as compensation. Practically, the Packers would never go that far to sign an external free agent.
Options
Without Tee Higgins, the wide receiver free agent market loses the most valuable piece, because he is a productive and young piece. Now, the group still available has some older players—Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, Brandin Cooks, DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Williams, and Robert Woods are all above 30.
The most logical option would be Chris Godwin, but he will soon be 29, has a significant injury history, and is entering his third NFL contract.
Other alternatives include Diontae Johnson, who went through several teams throughout the 2024 season, Hollywood Brown, Darius Slayton, DJ Chark, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
The market can get better and more attractive with some potential cap casualties, like Davante Adams and Allen Lazard—two former Packers who are now under contract with the New York Jets.
The lack of a real WR1 has been a conversation in Green Bay since it traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022. The talk got calmer last year, when the young group produced well, but the new pieces couldn't replicate the production in 2024. The need for a top weapon was mentioned by running back Josh Jacobs, and it generated repercussion among the receivers and quarterback Jordan Love.
Jordan Love has the perfect perspective about the Packers WR1 narrative
Quarterback knows how to navigate the public sphere
