The Cincinnati Bengals have had one of the best NFL offenses for years with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Joe Mixon. However, with the arrival of the 2024 offseason, Burrow and Chase could lose one of their key offensive weapons in the weeks to come.
Cincinnati already made a long-term commitment to Burrow, making him one of the highest-paid NFL players. Within a year, the Bengals will also be rewarding Chase with an extension that makes him one of the highest-paid wide receivers in NFL history.
- Tee Higgins stats 2023: 42 receptions, 656 receiving yards, 15.6 yards per reception
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However, this leaves uncertainty for Higgins. Once the 33rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the 6-foot-4 wideout is eligible for free agency this offseason. While Cincinnati might not let him hit the open market, that reportedly doesn’t mean he’ll put on a Bengals uniform in 2024.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated named Higgins as one of the viable options to be franchise-tagged and later traded during the NFL offseason. He’s joined by Carolina Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns as a potential NFL trade candidate in 2024.
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Tee Higgins trade landing spots
With a No. 1 receiver already on the roster and several needs on both sides of the ball, Cincinnati could seriously entertain trade offers for Higgins this offseason. Considering the lack of high-end young talent available at wide receiver in NFL free agency, there would likely be a strong market of suitors.
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With all of that in mind, here are three NFL teams that could pursue a trade for Higgins in 2024.
- Carolina Panthers: There’s no team more desperate for playmakers than the Carolina Panthers. Former general manager Scott Fitterer failed to put adequate offensive weapons around rookie quarterback Bryce Young last offseason. Now led by Dan Morgan, Carolina will need to be aggressive and creative in its efforts to help Young. Considering the success head coach Dave Canales had with Mike Evans in Tampa Bay, Higgins could fill that void and provide the perfect long-term No. 1 receiver to support Young and uplift this Panthers’ passing attack moving forward.
- New York Giants: Having made a soft commitment to Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback in 2024, the New York Giants need to find him more help. In the last three seasons, Jones has largely been dependent on running back Saquon Barkley as his top pass-catcher. Higgins would give New York a go-to weapon that could make contested catches and be the playmaker on the outside that Brian Daboll’s offense has never had with New York.
- New England Patriots: The dream scenario for the New England Patriots this offseason seems to be building out a new core on offense before finding a long-term quarterback. That means trading down from the No. 3 overall pick, then using the pick later in Round 1 on an offensive tackle. A move like that would also provide New England with more draft capital, creating the flexibility to trade picks for a player like Higgins. Plus, the Patriots have to spend this offseason and Higgins fits perfectly into the team’s timeline.
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