The Bengals may finally trade Pro Bowler wide receiver, Tee Higgins to the Saints or Chargers this season. Bleacher Report published an article stating Cincinnati could trade one of their best receivers to another team if they continue losing. However, the team faces two winnable opponents such as the Giants and Browns but anything could happen in those two matchups and even if they lose at least one, they would become 1-5 at the bottom of their division. The momentum in Cincinnati has changed since losing their nail-biting loss against Baltimore.
Higgins will only go somewhere if he requests a trade again. He’s been the subject of trade rumors this offseason and it won’t go away if Joe Burrow can’t find his footing in Cincinnati this year. The Clemson product has been established as one of the most high-profile wideouts in the league, notching 83 yards and two touchdowns in his recent game. The Bengals probably won’t bring him back next season so it might be beneficial for the team to trade him now if they don’t see anything coming out from this year.
It may be much easier for a 1-4 team to tank than scrambling and finding a way to pay Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase next offseason. Higgins signed a franchise tender, ending his holdout but he will become a free agent in 2025 if the Bengals decide to keep him until the season ends. Cincinnati will probably face some difficult decisions where they may choose Chase over Higgins so if that’s the case, they should trade at least one of them now to get something in return to build for next season. Bengals trading Higgins to the Chargers or Saints is a strong possibility as these two teams are looking for immediate receiver help.
Abysmal Bengals May Finally Trade Pro Bowler Tee Higgins to Saints, Chargers
Extra Help for Spencer Rattler
The Saints are probably better than what their record shows. However, injuries are continuing to hinder the production of this offense as Derek Carr will miss a couple of weeks. Dennis Allen could consider a possible trade candidate like Higgins to be a high-profile addition to help Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. The passing game was explosive the first two weeks but it was average at best the last three.
Higgins is probably the best receiver on this roster if he lands with New Orleans. Since releasing A.T. Perry, the Saints are struggling to find a new man but Higgins would easily blow the entire offense out of water with his talent. Spencer Rattler is taking over for Carr so if Allen wants to keep his job, he should bring in an explosive weapon to help him feel comfortable in the passing attack.
New Life in Los Angeles
Justin Herbert could easily be the best quarterback in the league and on levels like Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff and surprisingly Sam Darnold. However, the Chargers struggled to replace Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. No one should anticipate journeyman Joshua Palmer to come back and the team may give Quentin Johnston one last shot before they end up probably putting him on the trading block. The only productive receiver is rookie Ladd McConkey who shouldn’t be depended on for a full-time role.
Herbert thrives if he has his players and Higgins would easily become their new WR1. Higgins joining the Chargers means they don’t have to depend on their running game most of the time.
Other Potential Trade Destinations
Kansas City Chiefs
Higgins would be much younger than other trade candidates like Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins and Davante Adams that the Chiefs are considering. The 25-year-old landing with the Chiefs means the team would have to open up some salary cap space. However, Kansas City could pull some strings and trade for Higgins just in time for the postseason. Higgins would be free to sign elsewhere, the Bengals may hesitate to trade him to Kansas City but at the right price, anything could go through.
Washington Commanders
Since the Commanders are looking like the real deal with a new regime under new head coach Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels, the team could trade for a superstar like Higgins. They were named favorites for Adams at one point but they may want someone younger that can last more seasons. The Commanders are still looking for a replacement since trading Jahan Dotson to Philadelphia and Higgins could easily fit into the puzzle alongside Terry McLaurin.
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