Why Did Tee Higgins Request a Trade From the Bengals Despite Being Franchise Tagged?

The Cincinnati Bengals have been rocked with merely a few hours remaining before the free agency deadline. After putting the franchise tag worth $21.8 million on their wide receiver, Tee Higgins, it looked like they had bought themselves time! Still, Higgins has requested a trade. What is the reason for such an ask from him?

Higgins has been a sensation for the Bengals ever since being drafted in 2020. His partnership with the QB Joe Burrow led the Bengals through many tough challenges. But now the WR is trying to move away from all that.

Tee Higgins shows his dissatisfaction with a trade request

The Bengals and the former CFP Championship winner failed to agree to a new contract last year. A similar case was repeated this year as well, and the Bengals chose the way to put the franchise tag on him, to make him stay for one more year. The Bengals had hoped they would finalize a new deal this year.

However, Higgins put in a shocking trade request. According to reports, Higgins suggests he has not had long-term contract extension talks with the Bengals since March 2023. This disappointment has led him to look for a new team this season!

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A quality wide receiver like Higgins will be accommodated by any franchise in the league. There will be several takers for the 25-year-old in the trade market. However, the Bengals have been dealt a massive blow, what are their options now?

The Bengals find themselves in a cage

The ruse of trade requests has been used by several players in the past. And the first option that the Bengals have is to simply refuse the request and continue to engage the WR in contract extension talks.

However, if that bridge seems broken, the timing of the request couldn’t have been better for the Bengals. As they could get better picks in the upcoming draft with the trade of Higgins. With the $21.8 million salary locked for Higgins this year. This could be a win-win situation for all parties involved.

Do you think Tee Higgins will succeed in getting traded to another franchise? Let us know in the comments.

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