Forget Tee Higgins Trade Talk for a While

Cincinnati receiver Tee Higgins doused much of the trade talk that built up last week by saying he plans on being with the Bengals for a "long time."

USA Today

Forget the Tee Higgins talk for now.

Things can change if future negotiations break down, but for now Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins doesn't expect to be traded to any NFL team this year including the Bears.

"Hopefully for a long time," Higgins said after being asked by  NFL Network while at the Super Bowl how much longer he'd be wearing a Bengals helmet. "I plan on being in Cincinnati for a while. So, I mean, we're going to see what happens."

The Bengals receiver finished his third season and his contract expires after the 2023 season.

Whatever the Bengals want, I want Tee Higgins in a Bears uniform

— VP of Wu Tang Financial (@BarbChairScott) February 3, 2023

Rumors cropped up earlier during Super Bowl week that he could go on the trading block this offseason because the team will have to pay plenty for second contracts to Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase in the future.

Higgins has been in the league three years and Chase two.

Tee Higgins is a bear

— JoeDM (@JOElapeno) February 9, 2023

Chase told NFL Network that Burrow has an idea how to set up his contract in the future in a way to help the Bengals afford to keep both receivers.

The hope on the part of many Bears fans on social media had been their team would be willing to cough up valuable draft picks to get Higgins as a target for Justin Fields.

Higgins has caught 215 passes for 3,028 yards on 327 targets, averaging 14.1 yards per attempt. He also has 19 touchdown receptions.

The only receivers drafted in 2020 with more receptions than Higgins are Justin Jefferson (324), CeeDee Lamb (260), Michael Pittman (227)

Considering Higgins was a second-round pick who has been highly productive, it's possible trade compensation would involve a first-round pick.

Regardless, Higgins isn't planning to depart the team.

Once there are actual contract negotiations then things can change.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven