Video: Tee Higgins 'Would Love to' Stay with Bengals amid Contract, NFL Trade Rumors

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins remains the subject of trade speculation as he has yet to sign his franchise tender, but if he had it his way, he wouldn't be going anywhere this offseason.

While ESPN's Ben Baby reported on Wednesday that Higgins and the Bengals "haven't had negotiations for a new contract in more than a year," Higgins said on the I AM ATHLETE podcast that he would be open to continuing his career with the franchise that drafted him with a second-round pick in 2020.

"As far as me coming back, I would love to come back," Higgins said around the 2:35 mark (h/t James Rapien of Sports Illustrated). "I grew as a man in the past four years here. Grew as a player, got good new friendships. Great relationships with people not in the facility, in the City of Cincinnati, the fans are great. So I would definitely love to be here."

The Bengals placed their franchise tag on Higgins, which would guarantee him $21.8 million for the 2024 season. The 25-year-old made it clear that he was not happy with his contract and requested to be traded from Cincinnati, but he later backtracked and said he intends to play for the Bengals this season.

Baby noted that Higgins is the only player who was franchise-tagged this offseason and has yet to receive a long-term deal. Higgins skipped the start of OTAs in Cincinnati, as did star receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who is also awaiting a contract extension.

Higgins recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022, but he was limited to 656 yards and five touchdowns after appearing in 12 games last season. He would've still been a coveted trade piece this offseason, but the Bengals showed no indications that they were open to dealing him to another team.

Higgins added that while he would prefer to stay put in Cincinnati, he understands the nature of the business and that things may not go his way.

"It would be bittersweet. ... I would definitely love to be here [in Cincinnati], but if that's not the situation, then that's not the situation," he said.