Tee Higgins Rumors: Bengals Have 'No Plans' to Trade WR Amid Contract Dispute

Amid a contract dispute, the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly have "no plans" to trade wide receiver Tee Higgins, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Higgins was set to hit free agency this offseason, but the team franchised him, keeping him with the Bengals in the 2024 season. He will make $21.816 million this year.

Higgins reportedly requested a trade in March after the team franchise tagged him, but he has seemed to turn a corner, saying that he anticipates being back in Cincinnati this season.

After a booming start to his NFL career, Higgins had just 656 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, limited to 12 games with injuries. He recorded back-to-back seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022, and he's looking to get back to that form in 2024.

Higgins was looking for a big payday this offseason, whether that be with the Bengals or another team, but the franchise tag means he'll have to wait another season for a new contract. Per Spotrac, Higgins has a market value of $18.6 million a year, and a strong showing in 2024 could help him get that number up before he enters free agency next offseason.

The Bengals struggled last season, going 9-8 and missing the playoffs a year after reaching the AFC Championship. They were without star quarterback Joe Burrow for much of the year as he was limited to just 10 games, but if he is able to stay healthy, Cincinnati should find more success in 2024.

Keeping Higgins alongside star receiver Ja'Marr Chase means Burrow will have two outstanding talents to throw to, and that offensive group could help the Bengals get back to the Super Bowl this year.