Tee Higgins Rumors: Bengals WR Requests Trade Amid Tag, Lack of Contract Talks

Wide receiver Tee Higgins has requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz.

ESPN's Adam Schefter provided more context on the development:

The Bengals applied the franchise tag to Higgins in February to preclude him from reaching free agency. He'd collect $21.8 million guaranteed for 2024 if he signs the one-year tender.

A trade might have been the endgame that Cincinnati had in mind when it tagged the 25-year-old, though. Schefter's reporting on the absence of any progress on an extension reinforces that idea.

Granted, it might be premature to assume Higgins will be in a different uniform in 2024. The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. pointed to recent precedents for the Bengals:

There's nothing stopping Cincinnati from basically calling Higgins' bluff. He's likely going to show up by the regular season either way because he stands to lose too much by forfeiting an eight-figure salary and sitting out a full season.

But having his desired outcome out in the open could be the catalyst for meaningful trade negotiations between the Bengals and an interested suitor. It's abundantly clear now that he's willing to leave Cincinnati.

Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer noted the request comes less than two hours away from the start of the negotiating window between teams and free agents. Higgins and his representatives are probably hopeful he can start gauging his value around the NFL.

A trade will be costly. In addition to sending a valuable asset or two to the Bengals to facilitate the swap, Spotrac values Higgins at $18.6 million annually.

Depending on the final price, the gambit should be worth it for a player who has averaged 63.5 receiving yards per game with 24 touchdowns through four seasons.