Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins Makes Trade Request

Tee Higgins was set to become the top wide receiver on the 2024 free agent market. Instead, the Cincinnati Bengals designated Higgins with the franchise tag. Now Higgins is looking to be moved.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news. He reported:

“Higgins loves Cincinnati and hoped to be with the team long term, but is disappointed that the team has not had any talks about a long-term contract extension since March 2023. He’s ready to move on to a new home.”

Tee Higgins will instantly become a hot commodity on the trade market. There is not a deep class of wide receivers in free agency. Jacksonville Jaguars Calvin Ridley ranks at the top of most rankings currently. However, Higgins will still not be a free agent. Any team looking to add his services would need to both give Cincinnati compensation in a trade and then pay Higgins.

The franchise tag value for a wide receiver in 2024 is $21,816,000. That is a steep salary, in addition to whatever the trading team gives up in the swamp. Presumably, Higgins’ next team would be able to work out a contract extension before any deals are made.

Tee Higgins turned 25 in January. He has amassed 257 receptions, 3,684 yards, and 24 touchdowns in his four-year NFL career. His numbers would have been even better had he not missed five games, and most of a sixth, due to a hamstring injury last season Cincinnati drafted Higgins in the second round (No. 33 overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The New England Patriots would be one of the interested teams in Tee Higgins’ services. Their wide receiver room currently consists of DeMario Douglas, Kendrick Bourne, JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, T.J. Luther, and Kawaan Baker.