The Los Angeles Chargers have very clearly targeted free agency and the 2025 offseason draft as a way to improve the offense around Justin Herbert.
A new regime led by Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz stripped the offense around Herbert last offseason to put the rebuild in place. Rookie Ladd McConkey is one of the No. 1 players, but the playoff loss really highlighted the lack of playmaking-capable receivers.
Looking ahead to free agency, Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals is one of the most commonly suggested names for the Chargers. And Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano just agreed that Los Angeles should go all out to get him.
“If the Cincinnati Bengals let wide receiver Tee Higgins enter free agency, the Chargers would have to overpay for his services,” Manzano wrote. “Higgins’ skillset would complement McConkey and give Herbert a dynamic one-two punch to prevent further playoff collapses in the future.”
The Chargers will certainly have the cap space to accomplish this. And indeed, on paper, big Higgins commanding the coverage would open the field even more for McConkey.
But the big problem with this idea? Recent events surrounding the Bengals, such as Higgins changes agenthint at him remaining in Cincinnati, either on a second tag or an extension.
Still, that doesn’t change the fact that the Chargers should “overpay” for someone in his talent class, even if they pivot and look at someone like Chris Godwin instead.
— Enjoy free coverage of the Los Angeles Chargers on SI —
Chargers star reveals update on serious injury ahead of free agency trip
Embattled Chargers CB finally breaks silence on injury
Magazines are clearly the best destination for this superstar weapon
Should the Chargers make any changes to Jim Harbaugh’s coaching staff after the playoffs end?
Chargers could reunite Jim Harbaugh with Michigan star
How the Chargers can avoid early exit from the 2025 NFL playoffs
