The Cincinnati Bengals and their star wide receiver, Tee Higgins, are finally seeing the narrative shift in a positive direction. After weeks of uncertainty, rumors, and wild speculation, there's a refreshing bit of news for Bengals fans—teams like the New England Patriots, once thought to be in the mix for Higgins, don’t seem all that interested anymore.
For die-hard Bengals fans, this is a sigh of relief. Not long ago, Higgins’ cryptic social media post and ESPN’s Adam Schefter’s analysis had many bracing for a potential trade. But, as always, trade rumors surrounding Higgins will continue to swirl until Cincinnati makes an official move. That’s why Michael Ginnitti from Spotrac has labeled him as the Bengals' top trade candidate, drawing parallels to a past big-name wide receiver deal.
Higgins’ Trade Speculation: What’s the Reality?
Ginnitti pointed out an interesting comparison between Higgins’ situation and that of former Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry:
"The Bengals haven’t officially placed a second franchise tag on Higgins just yet, but when they do (estimated at $26,179,200), he’ll immediately become their top trade candidate. The last time a WR was tagged and traded before signing his second contract was Jarvis Landry back in 2018. The Browns gave Miami a fourth- and seventh-round pick and then extended Landry for five years at $75.5 million. However, pulling Higgins out of Cincinnati in 2025 will take significantly more, and signing him long-term could cost around four years, $120 million."
This is where things get interesting. Despite all the trade chatter, many forget that the Bengals aren’t exactly in a financial crisis. The $26 million price tag for Higgins is manageable considering their available cap space. Plus, if Higgins were to hit the open market, he could easily command $30+ million per year. The team holds the leverage to either sign him long-term or keep him on another franchise tag as they work towards a final deal.
The Bengals’ Strategy: Franchise Tag or Long-Term Deal?
Unless something completely unexpected happens, the Bengals using a second consecutive franchise tag on Higgins seems like a strategic move rather than an intention to trade him. It would essentially buy them more time to work out a long-term extension. For a player of Higgins’ caliber—one of the best young wide receivers in the league—the Bengals will likely exhaust all efforts to keep him in Cincinnati.
This also explains why, beyond Higgins, the Bengals don’t have any major trade chips. Some potential cut candidates, like defensive end Sam Hubbard and linebacker Germaine Pratt (who reportedly requested a trade), are on expensive contracts. But instead of being hot trade commodities, they’re more likely to be available in free agency sooner rather than later.
What’s Next for Higgins and the Bengals?
So, what’s the bottom line? Higgins’ future in Cincinnati remains a question mark, but the Bengals hold the cards. The idea of trading him might generate headlines, but it’s far from a done deal. If anything, the franchise tag—when officially applied—signals that the Bengals want him to stay, at least for another season.
Until then, expect the rumor mill to keep spinning. But for now, Bengals fans can rest a little easier knowing that Higgins isn’t as close to leaving as some once feared.
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