Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins’ contract is set to expire this offseason, and these five teams should kick the tires on adding him.
The Bengals suffered a disappointing 2023 campaign, marred by injury, including a season-ender for franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Cincinnati finished the year with a winning record, thanks to some heroic performances by backup signal-caller Jake Browning and his assortment of weapons.
The team’s pair of elite wideouts, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, each missed some time with their own ailments during the regular season. One of those weapons is set to be an unrestricted free agent. However, the Bengals can franchise tag Higgins while the two sides negotiate a new deal.
There’s also a chance that the front office slaps the tag on Higgins with the intention of trading him to the highest bidder. Already having two market-setting contracts with Burrow and Chase, it could be challenging to fit Higgins on the books.
Which teams could trade for WR Tee Higgins?
If the Bengals shop Higgins, these four teams make the most sense in a potential trade.
1. Detroit Lions
The Lions employ one of the best slot receivers in the NFL in Amon-Ra St. Brown, but the rest of the depth chart lacks. Higgins would give Detroit a jump-ball specialist that it currently lacks on offense.
It also provides quarterback Jared Goff with a lethal three-headed attack in the passing game, as Higgins, St. Brown, and tight end Sam LaPorta would instantly be a top trio in the league.
2. New York Giants
The Giants have been without a premier pass-catching option since Odell Beckham Jr. departed the Big Apple for Cleveland. Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton are depth pieces at best in the wide receiver room.
Acquiring Higgins would present head coach Brian Daboll with an actual building block on the boundary. Higgins just turned 25 and is approaching the prime of his NFL career. Now is the time to pull the trigger for New York.
3. Atlanta Falcons
Drake London is the only starting-caliber Atlanta wide receiver under contract for the 2024 campaign. The team could look at the NFL Draft to snag a premier pass catcher, but Higgins makes more sense.
The Falcons have other areas on the roster, mainly quarterback, that need addressing this offseason. Burning their top 10 pick on another skill position player might do more harm than good.
Instead, the front office will use its ample salary cap space to bring Higgins down south. It will also require a Day 2 selection, but that is a price worth paying for a player of this magnitude.
4. Houston Texans
C.J. Stroud burst onto the scene in Year 1, leading the Texans to a shocking postseason berth and a playoff victory on top of it. But the wide receiver position can stand to add another game-changing talent.
When healthy, Nico Collins and Tank Dell dominated opposing secondaries in 2023. Drop Higgins into the fold, and the Houston offense becomes that much harder to contain.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik decided to stay with Stroud and Co. for the upcoming season — why not get him a nice, shiny gift for staying loyal? Higgins certainly fits the bill.
