With rumors swirling over the last couple of weeks that the Cincinnati Bengals could trade Tee Higgins, the team’s head of player personnel let it be known on Tuesday that the speculation is “ridiculous.”
The NFL world is focused on Indianapolis this week with the 2023 NFL Combine underway. While the event is supposed to be about this year’s NFL Draft prospects showcasing their talents and improving their draft stock, it has also become a source of news and speculation, and many team officials get to offer up their thoughts in media scrums.
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On Tuesday, Cincinnati Bengals general manager Duke Tobbin was asked about the biggest rumor surrounding his team this offseason. Which is talk about a possible trade of star wide receiver Tee Higgins. And the man in charge of roster transactions gave a definitive response to the speculation.
“I’m in the business of making the Cincinnati Bengals better, so trading Tee Higgins is not on my mind. That’s their problem. They want a receiver? go find your own. In my opinion, Tee Higgins is a good piece for the Cincinnati Bengals, so the trade stuff is a little ridiculous right now.”
– Duke Tobbin
Why there are rumors the Cincinnati Bengals could trade Tee Higgins this year
For a second straight season, the man taken with a second-round pick in the 2020 draft racked up over 1,000 yards receiving. However, what made this season’s performance impressive as he stepped up to become a legitimate WR1 when star receiver Ja’Marr Chase missed several games midway through the year. It only increased his rising value heading into his fourth season with the Cincinnati Bengals.
However, 2023 will also be the final year of his rookie deal, as he is set to make a poultry $2.9 million next season. So there is a chance that Higgins could hold out in training camp as he looks for a long-term deal, or the team will lose him after next season because they can’t afford to pay two receivers superstar money.
- Tee Higgins stats (2022): 74 catches, 1,029 yards, 7 TD
That is why there have been rumors swirling of a possible Tee Higgins trade, with many teams around the league reportedly interested in the 24-year-old becoming their new WR1.