NFL Fans Predict Tee Higgins Trade amid Rumors on Bengals Franchise Tag, Contract

Many NFL fans expressed their belief Saturday on social media that a major move could be coming with regard to Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Tee Higgins.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Higgins will sign his franchise tender Saturday, but several fans took to X to suggest that it could be a move that sets the stage for a trade:

Schefter reported back in March that Higgins had requested a trade after he and the Bengals failed to agree to a long-term deal, but when asked in April if he expected to play for Cincinnati in 2024, Higgins said, "I do anticipate it."

After the Bengals selected quarterback Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft, they immediately got him a talented target in Higgins with the first pick of the second round in that same draft.

As a rookie, Higgins caught 67 passes and led the team with 908 yards and six touchdowns, and he elevated his game even more over the next two seasons.

The Bengals took wideout Ja'Marr Chase fifth overall in the 2021 NFL draft, which took some of the defensive attention away from Higgins and allowed him to thrive in one-on-one situations with his 6'4" frame.

As Burrow's No. 2 target, Higgins had virtually identical seasons in 2021 and 2022, recording 74 receptions for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns, followed by 74 catches for 1,029 yards and seven touchdowns.

Higgins also played a significant role in the Bengals reaching the Super Bowl in 2021, racking up 18 grabs for 309 yards and two scores in four playoff games.

While Higgins was as consistent as any receiver in the NFL over his first three seasons, he struggled to what was by far his worst campaign to date in 2023.

Injuries caused Higgins to miss five games, and he was also limited in a couple of others, resulting in career lows across the board with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns.

It also didn't help that Burrow missed seven games with a wrist injury, although Jake Browning performed admirably in his absence.

Despite his down year, Higgins will play at a salary of $21.816 million in 2024 under the franchise tag, and if he remains with the Bengals, a bounce-back year statistically could land him a huge deal in free agency next offseason.

The Bengals have until July 15 to sign Higgins to a long-term contract, but if that doesn't happen, he will have to play under the tag in 2024.

Given that they lost veteran receiver Tyler Boyd to the Tennessee Titans in free agency, the Bengals can ill afford to be without Higgins this season as well.

They did select Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft, but that felt like a pick meant to potentially replace Higgins in 2025 and beyond rather than in 2024.

Provided Higgins isn't dealt, there will be a sense of urgency for the Bengals to win a Super Bowl this season since it could be the final year that the trio of Burrow, Chase and Higgins is together.