Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is set to become a free agent this offseason. Barring the Bengals placing the franchise tag on him again, Higgins will have the chance to join another team come March.

The Patriots have been connected to Higgins for quite a while now. There was speculation last year that he could go to New England for a high second-round draft pick. New England has needed a No. 1 wide receiver for quite some time now, and Higgins would certainly fit the bill.

Higgins’ note there actually comes in the wake of his head-turning comments during an actual interview, in which he pointed out that things are out of his control — he’d like to stay with the Bengals but also understands that he could wind up on another team.