Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin and coach Zac Taylor both shot down rumors that receiver Tee Higgins is on the trading block.
Speculation has been rampant about the receiver entering his fourth season, and Tobin said Tuesday at the NFL combine that the chatter is ill-advised.
“If they want a receiver, go find your own,” Tobin said. “In my opinion, Tee Higgins is a good piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. The trade stuff is a little ridiculous right now.”
Taylor also said there is no truth to the rumors and indicated he is counting on having the wideout who has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons.
“That’s why whenever you see the rumors floating around there, it’s nonsense,” Taylor said. “At the end of the day, I do get to call the plays and it’s fun having (playmakers) out there. You don’t really want to give that up.”
Higgins has caught 215 passes for 3,028 yards and 19 touchdowns in 46 games (42 starts) since being a second-round pick (33rd overall) in the 2020 draft.
Part of the speculation has been fueled by the belief of outsiders that the Bengals will have a hard time signing quarterback Joe Burrow and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins to wealthy long-term extensions.
The situation also has led to rumors that running back Joe Mixon might become a casualty.
Mixon has two seasons left on a four-year, $48 million deal. He has a salary cap hit of $12.76 million in 2023.
Tobin said he was unsure what the future holds for Mixon and the Bengals.
“Joe has been a vital part of our team,” Tobin said. “He’s been a successful part of our team. Again, I’m not gonna predict the offseason because I don’t have the answers.”
Mixon, 26, has topped 1,000 rushing yards three times in his six NFL seasons but dropped to 814 last season to go with seven rushing scores. He has rushed for 5,378 yards and 40 touchdowns and caught 231 passes for 1,763 yards and 10 scores in 80 games (71 starts).
–Field Level Media