Tee Higgins wants out.
And that’s certainly music to plenty of teams’ ears.
The Bengals’ No. 2 receiver is “disappointed” with the lack of traction on a contract extension and has requested a trade, according to ESPN.
Cincinnati recently franchise-tagged Higgins for $21.8 million for the 2024 season.
“Higgins loves Cincinnati and hoped to be with the team long term, but is disappointed that the team has not had any talks about a long-term contract extension since March 2023,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted. “He’s ready to move on to a new home.”
While the trade request is not a guarantee that Higgins has played his last game for the Bengals, it provides an interesting wrinkle ahead of NFL free agency.
The potential free-agent class took a hit with Higgins being tagged and Mike Evans re-signing with the Buccaneers, leaving Calvin Ridley as arguably the top option.
Higgins, 25, likely would become the top available option, although he likely would not come cheap.
The Clemson product is one of the premier No. 2 receivers in the league behind all-world receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and it’s natural to think he could flourish as a No. 1 option.
Higgins has tallied 403 catches for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in four seasons, including last year’s injury-plagued campaign, in which he registered 42 catches for 656 yards and five scores in 12 games.
The former second-round pick caught 74 passes while clearing 1,000 yards in the two prior seasons.
Higgins certainly would make sense for both the Giants and Jets.
The Giants need an alpha receiver, especially with the injury-prone Darren Waller already considering retirement after a lackluster season.
The Jets need another weapon alongside Garrett Wilson, with last year’s prized free-agent signing Allan Lazard providing next to nothing before being benched.
It would be expected that any team acquiring Higgins would eye a long-term extension.
