NFL Rumors: Tee Higgins Won't Be Traded by Bengals at Deadline; CB, DL Additions Eyed

Despite a poor start to the season, the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly aren't going to move wide receiver Tee Higgins prior to Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.

Higgins can become a free agent at the end of the season, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Bengals have a "strong belief" in their team and want to make a run this season amid a 3-5 start.

Russini added that the Bengals are looking to make a move on defense prior to the deadline, though, with cornerback and defensive line being their main targets.

Higgins was the subject of trade rumors entering the 2024 season due to his desire to land a long-term contract, but he ultimately agreed to sign his franchise tender and play out the year with the Bengals before hitting free agency.

The 25-year-old wideout's importance to the Bengals has been quite obvious this season, as Cincinnati is 3-2 when he plays and 0-3 when he doesn't. That included a 37-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, which was a game Higgins missed due to a quad injury.

Higgins is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders as well, which is one the Bengals can ill afford to lose.

In the five games Higgins has played this season, he has 29 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns, which is in line with what he did over his first three seasons.

As one of quarterback Joe Burrow's favorite targets, Higgins averaged 72 catches for 1,009 yards and six touchdowns over his first three campaigns, but injuries limited him to 12 games last season, and they have continued to be an issue in 2024.

The Bengals are a team that is built to win now, though, and given Higgins' importance to their success, trading him would essentially mean waving the white flag on the season, which is something they aren't likely to do.

If the Bengals instead decide to add and make a run at the playoffs, defense is the most obvious area that needs to be improved.

Cincinnati 24th in the NFL in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense this season, which is a carry over from 2023 when they ranked 31st in total defense and 21st in scoring defense.

The Bengals' most successful seasons during Zac Taylor's tenure as head coach came in 2021 and 2022 when they reached the Super Bowl and then the AFC Championship Game, and the defense was a big reason why.

Cincinnati was a middle-of-the-pack defense in 2021, ranking 18th in total defense and 17th in scoring defense, and even better the next season, ranking 16th in total defense and sixth in scoring defense.

Lou Anarumo has been the Bengals' defensive coordinator throughout Taylor's tenure, but if that unit does not improve significantly over the course of the rest of the season, his job could conceivably be in jeopardy.

Cincinnati is 21st in the NFL against the pass this season and a poor pass-rush may be the biggest reason why, as the Bengals are only 29th in sacks with 12.

Trey Hendrickson has seven of those sacks, so bringing in someone who can complement him may be the Bengals' biggest key to turning things around and making a playoff run.