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Main Photo: Sam Greene USA Today Sports

Bengals Legend Weighs In On Potential Star Receiver Trade

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By David Latham, Managing Editor | Last updated 5/6/24

Tee Higgins trade discussions have dominated the offseason. Originally selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, the Clemson product spent the past four seasons establishing himself as one of the game’s better perimeter threats. Since entering the league, the wideout has recorded 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns. Playing alongside Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins helped transform the Bengals from one of the worst teams in the league to a perennial contender.

The wideout was scheduled to hit free agency at the start of the 2024 league year, but the Bengals used the franchise tag to keep him around for at least one more season. Tee Higgins requested a trade after the two sides failed to make progress in contract talks, but former Bengals legend Chad Johnson believes the two sides will eventually work out a long-term deal.

“I think we’re going to work it out. We’ll figure it out,” Johnson said, via TMZ Sports. “It’s business – it’s the nature of the business. He’s going to be all right, though.

Chad Johnson Weighs In On Potential Tee Higgins Trade

While Chad Johnson thinks everything will work out in the end, some warning signs are hard to overlook. For one, Higgins and the Bengals are nowhere close in contract talks, as Cincinnati reportedly wouldn’t even offer $20 million per year for his services. Barring something completely unexpected, Higgins will receive a considerably higher payday on the open market, even if he has to wait a year. Secondly, the Bengals need to pay Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow’s cap hit will explode in the next couple of seasons. Financially speaking, the Bengals might not be able to pay Higgins what he deserves.

With the NFL Draft over and done with, the Bengals might not trade Tee Higgins in 2024. The wide receiver admitted as much in a recent interview, saying he’ll probably play for Cincinnati in 2024. However, it’s hard to envision him sticking around in 2025. NFL players have a remarkably small window of earning opportunity, and Higgins should get every cent he can. Some other teams will exceed Cincinnati’s offer, and these five teams make the most sense.

New @WLWT: Tee Higgins says he does anticipate playing for the Bengals in 2024. pic.twitter.com/kMh0Lar8Ws

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) April 14, 2024

Possible Destinations

New England Patriots

The Patriots are entering a multi-year rebuild, but they laid the foundation for future success with the selections of Drake Maye, Ja’Lynn Polk, Caedan Wallace, and Javon Baker. While these young players can guide New England to a bright future, they should acquire a proven veteran like Tee Higgins through trade or free agency. With plenty of cap space and all their core players locked up, New England should be active on the open market.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are in the midst of perhaps the most underwhelming “all-in” offseason in recent memory. However, they could turn the tides with a Tee Higgins trade. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons all due for major extensions, this could be the last ‘best chance’ the Cowboys will get to win a title, so they might as well create one of the best receiver duos in the game.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers spent the 2024 NFL Draft adding some much-needed talent to the offensive side of the ball. While these selections will give Justin Herbert a fighting chance in 2024, they could still use another wide receiver or two. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey is the only starting-caliber receiver on the roster, and a Tee Higgins trade would give this team two much-needed weapons. Even if they have to wait until 2025 to get their hands on him, Higgins and Herbert could be a lethal duo.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers have two proven veterans in Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen, but only one player with significant upside. First-round rookie Xavier Legette has the potential to be great, but the South Carolina product needed five years to break out at the collegiate level. He might need some time to adjust to the NFL, and a Tee Higgins trade would ensure Bryce Young has at least one high-upside weapon in his passing attack. Carolina needs Young to work out, and adding Higgins will dramatically increase his odds of turning into a franchise quarterback.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Bengals would need a lot of compensation to trade Tee Higgins to their biggest division rivals. However, they still earn a spot on this list because the fit is perfect. Marquise Brown is not a long-term fix, Xavier Worthy is unproven, and Rashee Rice will face a significant suspension. This team is dangerously close to playing Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney, and that can’t happen if they want to win their third Super Bowl in as many years.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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