The wide receiver trade market has seen multiple high-profile moves made already. Davante Adams, Amari Cooper and DeAndre Hopkins are no longer available, but several other wideouts are at least receiving interest as the deadline approaches.
That includes Tee Higgins, who is playing on the franchise tag in 2024. Teams are calling the Bengals about Higgins, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post writes. To little surprise, though, he adds that suitors do not expect Cincinnati to authorize a trade sending Higgins elsewhere.
Every other franchise tag recipient from 2024 wound up signing a contract to remain with their respective teams for 2024 and beyond. The lone exception was Higgins, and at no point this offseason did team and player appear close to reaching agreement on a deal. The Bengals’ most notable extension efforts came in 2023, and they did not reach $20MM per season on average.
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The WR market has seen multiple financial surges recently, and at the age of 25 Higgins could stand to cash in considerably as a free agent. He could easily surpass the value the Bengals have for him, especially with Ja’Marr Chase still in need of a long-term accord. Talks with the latter took place up until the start of the regular season, but no agreement was reached. Chase currently leads the NFL in receiving yards, and he could very well find himself as the league’s highest-paid receiver on his second contract.
Higgins was limited to 12 games last year, and in 2024 a hamstring injury delayed his season debut. The Clemson product has racked up 341 yards and three touchdowns so far this season, and remaining productive alongside Chase will be key for the Bengals’ efforts to reach the playoffs. After starting 0-3, the team now sits at 3-5 on the year. That could lead to a seller’s stance in the build-up to next week’s deadline, but Higgins genuinely being available would be a surprise.
Any contending team would no doubt look to add Higgins not only as a rental but as a long-term investment in the passing game. The Jets, Bills and Chefs have each already added in that regard, but several suitors could still make a push to add over the coming days.
