when cincinnati bengals WR Tee Higgins was placed on the franchise tag in late February, and many thought this was the first step toward Higgins being traded before the start of the 2024 season. Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase is up for a big contract extension, and the Bengals already paid QB Joe Burrow a lot of money, so someone’s going to be the odd man out. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Higgins and Cincinnati haven’t discussed a long-term contract since March 2023, and the receiver is currently considering moving elsewhere.
Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has requested a trade, according to sources. Higgins loves Cincinnati and wanted to stay with the team long-term, but is disappointed that the team hasn’t had any discussions about a long-term contract extension since March 2023. He’s ready to move on to a new team… pic.twitter.com/T0qy7uMu8n
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Since Higgins has requested a trade, it will be interesting to see how much Higgins will return to Cincinnati if he moves. He will receive a monster contract after the trade goes through, so the more likely compensation will probably start with a later first-round pick or an early second-round pick. As ESPN’s Bill Barnwell pointed out: That means a team starting around the 25th pick should be involved in a trade for Higgins.
It’s this depth at wide receiver that works against Higgins and the Bengals in seeking compensation. The 2024 class is rated as having a high chance of finding a positive starter late in the first or second round, so the question is whether teams will go after a prospect on a rookie contract, or if Higgins will cost 20-25 million. That means paying $10,000. ? There are definitely teams on both sides of the equation.?
Speaking of which, here are five teams that should trade Tee Higgins. First up is the team from the AFC South.
jacksonville jaguars
The established connections are already there. When Higgins was at Clemson, his QB was current Jaguar QB Trevor Lawrence. Jacksonville needs a 6’2+ player they can rely on on the outside, and with Calvin Ridley starting to get calls from other teams as a free agent, Jacksonville is looking for a receiver on the outside. Maybe there is. If Ridley doesn’t end up returning to the Jaguars, they can acquire a second-round pick, which they can combine with a late-round pick and next year’s second-round pick. I don’t know if the Jaguars can afford to give Higgins the money he wants, but if Higgins wants to win, reuniting with Lawrence would be a good option. The Jags have already agreed to terms with Gabe Davis, but could use more help in the receiver room.
houston texans
Speaking of playing with a really good quarterback. houston texans They have the ability to acquire a QB on a rookie contract and spend a lot of money. Houston has the fifth-most cap space in the NFL, and his ability to go all-in with his QB like C.J. Stroud on his rookie contract is the perfect feather in the cap. They have the money to make moves like this one, and the receiver room of Higgins, Nico Collins, and Tank Dell will quickly become one of the most entertaining rooms in the entire league.
tennessee titans
Titans head coach Brian Callahan has been the Bengals’ offensive coordinator since Higgins was drafted in 2020, and a reunion in Nashville could be in the cards. Tennessee doesn’t have much in its receiver room, but it has the third-most cap space in the NFL, so it could facilitate a move like this while still giving Higgins the money he wants.
arizona cardinals
The Cardinals probably have the best case for both a trade and contract for Higgins of all NFL teams. With two first-round picks, the Bengals could give Cincy another first-round pick for Higgins, and Arizona has enough cap space to make a long-term deal for Higgins. be. Add to that the fact that they draft Marvin Harrison Jr. and potentially acquire Tee Higgins, and they could be cooking on the gas here.
carolina panthers
The Panthers need all the outside help they can get, and without a first-round pick, it will be difficult to draft a top-tier player. However, they do have the No. 33 pick, which could allow them to sign Higgins. Carolina’s cap space situation is fine, but new Panthers head coach Dave Canales has worked with Mike Evans in Tampa Bay, so he could look to Carolina for a player with a similar body type. Bryce Young needs a weapon, and Higgins might be the best weapon available with the 33rd pick.
