Report: Potential Patriots trade target Tee Higgins has requested a trade
"Bengals franchise WR Tee Higgins has requested a trade, per sources," Adam Schefter wrote.
The Patriots could use a young, dynamic, playmaking wide receiver to pair with whichever quarterback they choose to replace Mac Jones.
It appears that one is about to hit the market. Tee Higgins, who was one of Joe Burrow’s top targets in Cincinnati, has asked for a trade according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“Bengals franchise WR Tee Higgins has requested a trade, per sources,” Schefter wrote. “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. He’s ready to move on to a new home.”
Higgins, 25, has averaged 921 yards and six touchdowns over his four-year NFL career. He posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. He was the only Bengal to catch more than one touchdown pass during Cincinnati’s playoff run in 2021, which culminated in a Super Bowl loss to the Rams.
The 6-foot-4, 220-pound receiver finished his rookie contract last season. The Bengals franchise tagged him this offseason, giving Higgins the option of returning to Cincinnati on a 1-year deal worth $21.8 million.
“The reason we franchised him is because we would like to have him,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said. “He’s not under contract and it’s hard for me to predict all the different scenarios that could happen, but we feel strongly about Tee Higgins and his fit with us.”
But, talks of a long-term extension have not progressed as far as Higgins has hoped, according to Schefter. According to ESPN’s Ben Baby, there had been “little to no movement” on an extension for Higgins.
Players who receive the franchise tag are not allowed to sign with other teams via free agency. A player who does not sign the contract offered by the franchise tag is not under contract. The player can either play out the year on the salary designated by the tag, or hold out in hopes of applying pressure to the front office to secure a more lucrative long-term deal.
While the Patriots can’t just sign Higgins away from the Bengals this season, they could trade for him.
Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo listed wide receiver as one of the top positions the Patriots need the most help at during his introductory press conference in January, along with quarterback and running back.
The Patriots are reportedly expected to “swing big” in an attempt to sign Calvin Ridley, who is considered one of the top available free-agent receivers.
Higgins reportedly wanting out of Cincinnati adds one more big name receiver to the mix that the Patriots could end up chasing.
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