Best Landing Spots for Bengals Wide Receiver Tee Higgins

Despite receiving the franchise tag from the Cincinnati Bengals last month, wide receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade on Monday after contract extension talks stalled out.

Higgins recorded 1,000-yard receiving seasons in both 2021 and 2022 but was limited to just 656 yards in 12 games last season due to a rib injury.

If the Bengals decide to move the 2020 second-round pick, here are five potential landing spots that should consider making a move for Higgins.

New York Jets

Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets struggled to find a secondary option at receiver in 2023.

The signing of Alan Lazard hasn't worked out as expected as he ended up as a healthy scratch in games toward the end of the season.

Higgins would provide another dangerous jump-ball threat for Aaron Rodgers to rely on upon his return from injury.

Jets general manager Joe Douglas has made pushes for a star receiver but has come up empty. Higgins could be his last chance to strike gold.

Tennessee Titans

Ever since the trade of A.J. Brown to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, the Titans have struggled to find someone who can match his talent.

DeAndre Hopkins went over 1,000 yards for the first time since 2020 but the 31-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of next season.

The combination of Hopkins and Higgins could make the Titans offense that much more dangerous in 2024 with second-year quarterback Will Levis.

Atlanta Falcons

This one is really fun to think about.

Atlanta already made huge waves to open free agency by signing former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year contract on Monday.

On an offense which already features Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts—could you imagine what the addition of Higgins could provide?

The Falcons would be one of the more interesting teams in the league if they were to work out a deal.

Carolina Panthers

Going from one team in the NFC South to another, the Panthers should be looking for anyone to help out one of the worst offenses from a year ago.

Aside from Adam Thielen, who led the Panthers with 1,014 receiving yards, the next player on that leaderboard finished with just 525 yards.

That's less than what Higgins recorded this season in five fewer games.

Higgins could be the piece to help unlock quarterback Bryce Young as the No. 1 overall pick enters his second season.

New England Patriots

The Patriots find themselves in limbo at the moment after trading former first-round pick Mac Jones to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

With the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, many fans expect the Patriots to select Jones' replacement so why not give that new gunslinger a proven receiver in Higgins?

Like the Panthers, New England lacked talent at the receiver position as Demario Douglas was the team's leading receiver at 561 yards.

Higgins would have an opportunity to be the leading receiver as the Patriots look to rebuild what they once had for most of the 21st century.

Tee Higgins has Options

With the Falcons signing wide receiver Darnell Mooney on Tuesday, the odds of them pulling off a trade for Higgins decrease compared to the other teams on the list.

Of the five options, the Patriots remain the betting favorite to land Higgins services and with the third most cap space remaining in the league it remains a strong option.