Tee Higgins trade rumors have been circulating throughout the offseason, and with good reason. After four strong years on his rookie deal, the Clemson product was supposed to hit unrestricted free agency at the start of the 2024 league year. However, the Cincinnati Bengals used the franchise tag to keep him in town and under team control for at least one more season.
Generally speaking, teams use the franchise tag as a way to extend negotiation periods between player and team. However, Cincinnati reportedly did not engage in such discussions, and Tee Higgins requested a trade. This request appears to have gone nowhere, as the two-time 1,000-yard receiver gave a surprising update during a recent interview.
Despite the trade request, Tee Higgins recently said that he expects to be back with the Bengals in 2024, although his long-term future is still anything but clear.
Tee Higgins Does Not Expect A Trade, Anticipates Playing For Bengals
This update comes as a shock for several reasons. First off, Tee Higgins has yet to sign his franchise tag, so the trade candidate is technically not under contract. This means that he can still hold out for a long-term deal with zero financial repercussions, yet this interview implies that the wide receiver will come back, even if it’s just on a one-year deal. Secondly, the 2024 NFL Draft hasn’t even happened yet. While the class is loaded with talent at the receiver position, some teams will miss their preferred prospect. Once that happens, they could give the Bengals a call and see if Higgins is on the market.
Obviously, Tee Higgins knows his trade market better than anyone, so we’ll have to take his words at face value. After all, he has nothing to gain by lying. Even if the Clemson product returns for 2024, it’s hard to see him staying on the Bengals in 2025. Joe Burrow’s cap hit is set to explode, and Ja’Marr Chase will need an extension of his own. Higgins will likely be the odd man out, and one of these teams will likely end up with him sooner or later.
Possible Long-Term Destinations
Buffalo Bills
Even if he were available for trade, the Buffalo Bills do not have the money to acquire Tee Higgins before June 1st. However, once the Tre’Davious White release is official, they’ll have the money to sign the superstar receiver to a long-term deal. With reports that the Bills could trade down in the 2024 NFL Draft, Buffalo might need a star receiver to pair with Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Dalton Kincaid. Higgins is not as good as Stefon Diggs at his peak, but the former second-round pick is still a great playmaker and not nearly as much of a locker room nuisance.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have two reliable short-term options at wide receiver in Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen. However, with Thielen on the wrong side of 30 and Johnson entering the final year of his contract, the team needs to find a long-term weapon for Bryce Young. Whether it’s by trade or just throwing loads of money at him next offseason, Carolina should do everything they can to get Tee Higgins on the roster.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Cincinnati Bengals would never trade Tee Higgins to their biggest AFC competition. However, if he leaves as a free agent, the team won’t be able to stop him from joining Patrick Mahomes in 2025. With Marquise Brown only signed to a one-year deal and Rashee Rice’s future uncertain, Higgins could provide some much-needed security for a team that will always be competing for championships as long as Patrick Mahomes is on the field.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have a good young receiver in Zay Flowers, but not much else. While they could invest an early draft pick into the position, Baltimore has multiple holes to fill after parting ways with a series of free agents. Just like with the Chiefs, the Bengals would never trade Tee Higgins to the Ravens, but Baltimore could easily spend up and sign him in 2025 if they don’t find a complementary receiver opposite Flowers.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly discussed a Tee Higgins trade, but those talks probably won’t go too far with a division rival. So, just like with most of the other teams on this list, they could start a bidding war in the 2025 offseason. George Pickens is a talented player, but Pittsburgh needs a secondary wide receiver. While this team has a long track record of finding talent in the NFL Draft, Higgins is a proven commodity that should help a team that plans on retaining Russell Wilson for years to come.
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