The Cincinnati Bengals may use the franchise tag to acquire wide receiver Tee Higgins, according to an NFL insider.
Tee Higgins, a wide receiver, and the Cincinnati Bengals seem set to be placed on the franchise tag. The Clemson product was first chosen in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and soon proved to be one of the better outside receivers in the league. The Bengals possessed a cheap, cost-controlled core that made them one of the most dangerous teams in sports, thanks to the addition of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow in the same draft and Ja’Marr Chase a year later.
Cincinnati is unfortunate to find that window of opportunity is beginning to close. The Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag to retain Tee Higgins for at least one more season, even though he is scheduled to become a free agent. Cincinnati may not have the money to sign Higgins, even though they want him to stay a Bengal for the foreseeable future. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks the Bengals may trade Tee Higgins in the upcoming weeks as a result.
“Higgins and [Panthers pass rusher Brian] Burns might be candidates for a tag-to-trade,” in my opinion. In Burns’s situation, it’s because over the past few years, he and the Panthers haven’t been able to come to an extended contract. In Higgins’s instance, it’s because the Bengals are about to sign a bigger contract with Ja’Marr Chase.
Breer: Tee Higgins could be traded or tag by the Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are utilising the franchise tag in the first place because they know that no team would ever want to lose a guy with Tee Higgins’ calibre. Giving him a multi-year contract has some long-term implications, but the organisation can afford to keep him until 2024. Cincinnati has $61.38 million in cap space at the moment, and they may increase that amount by removing players like Joe Mixon.
But there are two significant obstacles in this way. To begin with, it is unknown if Tee Higgins would even be able to play with a franchise tag. Due to injury, the Clemson graduate missed five games in the previous season, and more setbacks could have a negative impact on his long-term financial situation. Even if the contract is only for a year and is worth about $21.6 million, he won’t want to play.
Secondly, do the Bengals want to be in this similar predicament the next season, even if Tee Higgins is willing to play under the franchise tag? Higgins could likely be selected by Cincinnati in the first round, as wide receivers are a highly skilled position in this draft class. They might utilise that pick to acquire another pick in the NFL Draft, even if there is no such thing as a 100% safe bet.
Assuming Breer is correct, let’s move on to the hypothetical scenario where Tee Higgins is traded by the Bengals using the franchise tag. This is a terrific wide receiver class, but there are a few money-spending clubs who will be prepared to part with a respectable choice in exchange for Higgins, a sure thing.
Top Trade Destinations
Panthers of Carolina
Bryce Young will determine whether the Carolina Panthers succeed or fail. Although Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield performed admirably under first-year head coach Dave Canales, every competent coach will tell you that winning is impossible without talented players. As a rookie, Young was positioned for failure; therefore, this squad must now locate guys who can assist him in becoming successful. The Panthers should investigate whether Tee Higgins is tradeable with the franchise tag because he is arguably the best wide receiver likely to be available.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are making another brief postseason run this year. It is unlikely that Mike McCarthy will make it through another poor playoff run, and Jerry Jones is not getting any younger. In light of this, the team might do anything to get Tee Higgins under the franchise tag. Even though CeeDee Lamb is an outstanding athlete, the Cowboys’ passing attack needs a second target. Michael Gallup is merely an afterthought, and Brandin Cooks has finally allowed age to catch up with him. Even though Lamb isn’t Ja’Marr Chase, these two would still rank among the league’s greatest tandems. Dallas would have to completely rebuild themselves if their talented team isn’t able to go to the NFC Championship Game.
Green Bay Packers
In their post-Rodgers rebuilding process, the Green Bay Packers are ahead of plan. It’s time for this youthful team to acquire some seasoned veterans who can elevate the club to legitimate Super Bowl contenders after making the playoffs in Jordan Love’s first season. Tee Higgins is the ideal prospect for the position, and this squad may need to target the franchise tag candidate as their top goal. Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs are good players, but not great ones, while Christian Watson can’t seem to stay healthy. Higgins’ addition to the lineup provides this offence with the firepower it needs to take on the NFC’s top teams.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are tight for cash; how can they afford to trade for Tee Higgins using the franchise tag? It’s hard to predict, but the Saints seem to pull it off each and every year; 2024 won’t be any different. There won’t be a rebuild this year since Dennis Allen and Derek Carr both need to have successful seasons to maintain their respective positions. Although this club needs a stronger complementary receiver, Chris Olave is one of the better young receivers in the league. Rasheed Shahid is a one-trick pony, and Michael Thomas’s skill set has been diminished by injuries. Higgins will provide Carr with a much-needed second target, and that alone could be sufficient to make this team’s first postseason appearance since
Los Angeles Chargers
In 2024, the wide receiver room of the Los Angeles Chargers will appear different. Given that Quentin Johnston did not perform well in his debut season and that Mike Williams and Keenan Allen could both be cap casualties, trading for Tee Higgins on the franchise tag could be the best course of action for this team. The Bengals’ decision to deal Higgins inside the conference is the main unanswered question. You never want to write off Justin Herbert, especially now that he has a better head coach in Jim Harbaugh, even though the Chargers had a dismal season.
