Tee Higgins was franchise tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals last week, but that hasn't stopped other teams from ringing the phones.
The Bengals are attempting to buy themselves some extra time on working something out long-term with the star receiver. This is the second consecutive season they placed a franchise tag on him.
NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe said that teams that have called the Bengals have been met with "crazy" prices.
I did check in with a couple rival teams around the league and see what that [trade] market is looking like. I was told that the asking price for Higgins is 'crazy,' from one person, very high, and so this seems like a situation where the Bengals are not in a position now with their asking price to trade him."
Quarterback Joe Burrow has grown comfortable with arguably the most productive wide receiver duo in the NFL between Higgins and the freshly minted triple-crown winner, Ja'Marr Chase.
Until Chase signs his own extension, which is projected to catapult him to the highest-paid non quarterback in the game, the Higgins negotiations remain up in the air.
Another layer of complication is whether the Bengals will secure a trade partner for defensive end Trey Hendrickson or opt to extend his contract.
Regardless of how it gets done, the Bengals have heard Burrow's plea to keep both Chase and Higgins in orange.
A look at where Bengals stand with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson including a very high asking price for teams calling to trade for the latter two.
More for @nflnetwork Free Agency Frenzy: pic.twitter.com/rWC738k3TN
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) March 12, 2025
Higgins, 26, was out with injury for five games in each of the past two seasons. Despite any setbacks in 2024, he still hauled in 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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This story was originally published March 12, 2025 at 7:18 PM.