With the NFL trade deadline nearing, teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, sitting at a 3-4 record, are deciding whether to buy or sell, given their mixed playoff prospects. This uncertain positioning has intensified focus on Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, whose future with the team remains unclear. For two consecutive offseasons, the Bengals have been unable to secure Higgins on a long-term contract, leading to the use of a franchise tag on him. In response, Higgins requested a trade. Even now, the potential for a future breakup looms, which could prompt Cincinnati to consider trading him, especially if their playoff hopes seem less promising as the deadline approaches.
While trading a player like Higgins would be significant, the decision is complicated by Cincinnati’s current playoff situation. Although ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler acknowledges interest from other teams in acquiring Higgins, he notes that Cincinnati’s playoff position might discourage them from letting him go, as the Bengals are still in contention. Contrarily, Ben Baby points out that Cincinnati faces a financial challenge in retaining both Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. With Higgins currently tallying 341 yards, three touchdowns, and zero drops this season, Baby suggests a trade could yield value for the team, particularly if a deep playoff run appears unlikely.
Currently, Cincinnati holds a 37.4% chance to reach the playoffs, ranking ninth in the AFC. Although this figure might seem low, the Bengals have consistently competed at a high level in recent seasons, especially with a healthy Joe Burrow, who has led the team to the AFC Championship in the past two years. Despite their four losses, three of these came against strong division leaders, suggesting the team’s record might not fully reflect its capability. With ten games left, there is still room for the Bengals to improve their postseason odds, especially if they retain key offensive players.
If the Bengals choose to trade Higgins, the offensive burden on Ja’Marr Chase would increase, given that he already leads the NFL in both receiving yards and touchdowns this season. Without Higgins, Cincinnati would likely need to lean on an unproven group of receivers, including Andrei Iosivas, Mike Gesicki, and Erick All. While each has contributed, their combined production falls short of Higgins’ impact, making a trade a potentially risky move for a team still fighting for a playoff spot. However, if the team believes a long-term extension with Higgins is unlikely, a trade could be the best way to capitalize on his value while he’s still under the franchise tag.
The decision to move forward with a trade depends largely on Cincinnati’s confidence in reaching the playoffs. If they feel a Super Bowl run is within reach, keeping Higgins might be worth the financial strain. However, should their season trend downward, the Bengals could secure valuable assets for the future by trading him, with the long-term goal of strengthening their roster and increasing flexibility in future seasons. Ultimately, Cincinnati’s decision will signal how they prioritize both immediate success and sustainable team-building as they navigate this crucial mid-season juncture.
