Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals HC Zac Taylor pours cold water on Tee Higgins’ trade request

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/25/24

It’s been two weeks since Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade.

Despite reports that the team is listening to offers on the star wideout, head coach Zac Taylor essentially shutdown that speculation Monday at the AFC head coaches media breakfast during the NFL's annual meeting in Orlando, Florida.

“We're excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Taylor told reporters, via Geoff Hobson of the team's website. “We think he's our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I've enjoyed working with Tee over the last four years and I expect this year to be another good one. I’m excited to see Tee on the field for us next year and help us win a lot of games.”

Has Tee Higgins really played his last snap as a Bengal?? @heykayadams unpacks Cincy's major dilemma with their WR this offseason #WhoDey pic.twitter.com/NSvf5dxEGz
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 22, 2024

The Bengals franchise-tagged Higgins before free agency began, locking him in to a one-year, $21.81 million deal for 2024. Higgins is believed to be searching for a long-term contract, and his $18.6 million market value may be too rich for the Bengals to afford paying on a multi-year deal.

Despite Taylor’s comments, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes although the Bengals would prefer to keep Higgins, they’re also listening to teams calling to inquire about trading for the 25-year-old WR.

“[Higgins] wants out,” Fowler said on “SportsCenter”. “He has made the trade request. I talked to a few teams who are interested who believe that the Bengals are at least willing to listen. So teams are going to try to pry him out. New England’s been high-end shopping for receiver help. Perhaps they try to give up a Day 2 pick to get Higgins.”

The 2023 season was the first time in his four-year NFL career that Higgins played fewer than 14 games and had less than 900 receiving yards. He caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.

Higgins has two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume with 24 touchdowns and 100 or more targets in three of four seasons.

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