Bengals Executive Gives Fiery Response to Tee Higgins Trade Speculation

The wide receiver is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Ahead of the NFL offseason, a rumor has swirled that the Bengals may look to trade Tee Higgins if they can’t reach an agreement on an extension. The wide receiver is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and with Cincinnati needing to pay Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in the future, Higgins could be a cap casualty.

However, the Bengals vehemently denied that process of thinking. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin told media at the NFL combine that he is not looking to trade Higgins in any way.

“I’m in the business of making the Cincinnati Bengals better, and so trading Tee Higgins is not on my mind. That’s their problem,” Tobin said referring to other teams. “If they want a receiver, go find your own.”

Duke Tobin on Tee Higgins 👀 pic.twitter.com/PVivw1aRxC

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 28, 2023

Three years into his career, Higgins has totaled two 1,000-yard seasons and has scored at least six touchdowns in each year. He has played in 46 of 49 possible games in his career, while establishing himself as one of Burrow’s most consistent targets. If Higgins were on the trade block, he’d arguably be the best wide receiver available.

Higgins was a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, so he will have a base salary of $2.9 million in 2023. If the Bengals can not find common ground with the wide receiver on a new deal, they can always franchise tag him before he hits free agency next year.