Jeremy Fowler of ESPN has provided us with an updated report on the trade talks pertaining to Tee Higgins.
Due to the Cincinnati Bengals’ inaction on a long-term agreement, Higgins sought a trade away from the team at the start of free agency. Fowler believes the Bengals are at least open to considering offers for the talented wide receiver.
Although Higgins is still officially under team control with the franchise tag for the upcoming season, the Bengals might consider trading him if an offer that is compelling enough is made.
During a recent appearance on ESPN, Fowler discussed the situation as follows, according to Bleacher Report:
“He has requested a trade because he wants to leave. A few interested teams that I spoke with think the Bengals are at least open to listening. That’s a little more accommodating than they could have been a year ago, when they most certainly weren’t planning to trade him. Teams will therefore attempt to coax him out. New England has been shopping high and low for receiving help; maybe they will try to trade a Day 2 pick for Higgins.”
You have to figure the Bengals will receive at least a couple bids because there are a lot of teams in the league that could use a young receiver with Higgins’ level of skill. The decisive issue will probably be the caliber of those bids.
The Bengals are certainly not in a rush to select in the future NFL Draft in 2024, but it’s still a date to watch since they would want to close a deal before draft day if they wanted to recoup draft money for this year as part of a return package.
Or, even in the unlikely event that a deal falls through before the draft, it will be interesting to follow the team’s approach to the receiver position. Maybe they’re willing to let go of Higgins if they choose a receiver with a high pick.