A new report claims the only reason the Cincinnati Bengals slapped their franchise tag for 2024 on receiver Tee Higgins is to trade him off to an interested team in the coming weeks.
On Tuesday, franchises around the NFL will reveal what players (if any) that they will use their franchise tag on for the upcoming season. However, long before today’s deadline, it was revealed that the Bengals intended to use the $21 million tag for wide receivers in 2024 on four-year veteran Tee Higgins.
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The assumption was they would use the tag to try one last run at a Super Bowl with Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase at Joe Burrow’s top weapons before they make a tough decision in 2025. However, over the weekend ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano reported a surprising update on the Higgins situation.
“A lot of people in Indy seemed to think the reason the Bengals franchised Tee Higgins as early as they did was so they could trade him,” Graziano wrote. “With a Ja’Marr Chase extension likely coming this offseason or next, Cincinnati might not be able to keep the band together around Joe Burrow much longer.
Assuming the Bengals move Tee Higgins before the 2024 NFL Draft, here are four teams that could and should pursue a blockbuster trade.
- Tee Higgins stats (2023-24): 12 games, 76 catches, 656 yards, 6 TDs, 15.6 YPC
New York Giants
There have been a lot of rumblings about the New York Giants possibly targeting a QB in the first round of the draft. Whether they do find Daniel Jones’ replacement in April they need more weapons on offense, especially with Saquon Barkley’s future in New York unclear.
A trade for Higgins would make a lot of sense and giving up some notable draft capital in the second or third rounds would be worth it for a budding superstar.
New York Jets
We have all heard about the New York Jets possibly pursuing Davane Adams in a trade this offseason. However, the Las Vegas Raiders star comes with a huge price tag and isn’t getting any younger. With Garrett Wilson being a young star, the Jets don’t need a future Hall-of-Famer caliber receiver to play alongside Wilson. If they are willing to invest big money in the position then doing so in another rising star would be a better fit for Gang Green in March.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have a huge amount of cap space and a need for stud wide receivers. If they do take a QB in the NFL Draft then getting him a legitimate No. 1 pass catcher should be a priority. They have the funds to give Higgins the payday he is looking for as well, so the 25-year-old going to the Patriots seems like a perfect fit in the short and long term.
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Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders are in the same situation as the Patriots. They have a new head coach and front office regime, a boatload of cash, and a top-three pick in April. Most around the league believe Higgins is a budding superstar. The Commanders’ offense and their potential rookie starting QB need all the help they can get and Higgins is the type of player they should target in any trades for impact players this offseason.