Could the Cincinnati Bengals try and swing a trade to acquire Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett?
Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton poses the possibility, noting that Tee Higgins’ trade demand could create complicate situation for the Bengals heading into 2024.
Cincinnati slapped a franchise tag on Higgins, preventing him from reaching free agency. This evidently did not sit well with the star wide out, who consequently requested to be dealt.
Of course, the Bengals don’t have to trade Higgins. They have until mid-July to reach a long-term agreement with him, and even if they don’t, it seems fairly unlikely that Higgins would refuse to sign his franchise tender, which would pay him over $21 million next season.
But here is the thing: Cincinnati also has to worry about re-signing fellow receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who became eligible for an extension this offseason. Plus, the Bengals already have quarterback Joe Burrow under contract making $55 million annually.
Taking those factors into consideration, it may become incredibly difficult for Cincy to retain Higgins long term, which does open the door for a trade.
Moving Higgins becomes even more feasible if the Bengals are able to acquire Lockett.
Let’s remember that Cincinnati is trying to contend for a Super Bowl, so it won’t just trade Higgins unless it has some sort of backup plan.
Lockett could represent that for the Bengals, as the veteran posted four straight 1,000-yard campaigns between 2019 and 2022. This past season, he caught 79 passes for 894 yards and five touchdowns.
Of course, Lockett is 31 years old and did begin to show some signs of declining in 2023, but Moton thinks Cincinnati could land him for a fifth-round draft pick.
If the Bengals do decide to place Higgins on the trade block, Lockett would be a pretty good option to replace him, providing Cincinnati with a dependable No. 2 receiver behind Chase.
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