The Cincinnati Bengals undoubtedly have a set price in mind in the unlikely event the front office decides to trade star wideout Tee Higgins.
That’s just how the Bengals do business, and this year, more than most, it’s probably the smart play.
Cincinnati doesn’t have much incentive to cough up the franchise-tagged star given his importance to Joe Burrow’s offense.
Beyond that, the team retains control for at least this season. And while this might feel like a Jessie Bates situation again (in a way, it is), the ever-increasing salary cap could encourage the Bengals to consider a second-consecutive franchise tag.
But events outside of the organization play a big role in the unlikeliness of a trade, too. The following deals and factors say that the current trade market just won’t see an offer come in for Higgins that the Bengals even remotely consider.
The Brian Burns trade
Differnt positions, sure. There’s a bigger premium on edge rushers, though, so here’s the problem — the Panthers traded Burns to the Jets for the 39th pick and a 2025 fifth-rounder.
That 39th pick isn’t anything to turn the nose up at, but not getting a first-rounder for a 25-year-old, two-time Pro Bowler with 46 sacks to his name over just five seasons is a whiff.
The Jerry Jeudy deal
So here’s a wideout. An embattled one, sure, but Jeudy was a former first-round pick just four seasons ago who averages better than 14.5 yards per catch and hasn’t been in the best situation. All Denver could get for his departure was a fifth-and sixth-rounder.
The Keenan Allen deal
Allen might be going on 32 years old, but he did just put up another 1,243 yards and seven scores, his fifth 1,000-plus-yard outburst over his last seven seasons, the only exceptions being when he was limited due to injury. The price for the Bears to acquire him? A fourth-rounder.
The L’Jarius Sneed trade
Here’s another franchise-tagged player at a premium position. The Chiefs dealt the two-time champion and No. 1 cornerback who wanted a big contract extension for a third-round pick — in 2025.
WR Stefon Diggs
Buffalo is a bit of an exception here because, frankly, the relationship with Diggs had clearly run its course. Diggs is 30 and caused enough issues for the Bills to want him gone even right in the middle of his quarterback’s prime. All that got them in return is a second-round pick — in 2025.
The rest
Teams aren’t really moving first-round picks these days. If Burns and Sneed aren’t garnering one, Higgins likely won’t either, especially when he’s not often had to be a No. 1 wideout without Ja’Marr Chase on the field, and he’s had availably issues due to injuries.
Before even all of that, though, consider that this is widely hailed as a historic-looking draft class for wideouts. If the choice is between an early-round wideout who is cheaper and younger than Higgins or a trade for Higgins that will cost assets, then a potentially market-resetting extension, most teams are likely to avoid the trade.
But…
…maybe the right offer comes in via the phone at Paycor Stadium. It would probably happen during the draft. And it would probably help the Bengals move around the order, particularly in the second round, perhaps. But the Bengals would really have to love one of the prospects available on the board at that point because they’d be dramatically worsening the offense around Burrow and need to draft at least one wideout.
So, probably not.
Dream
Amy Cooper
Dede@10
