Reports: Tee Higgins shocks Cincinnati Bengals with trade request
Former Clemson standout receiver Tee Higgins wants out of Cincinnati, according to multiple outlets, including ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Higgins has said that he loves playing in Cincinnati, the organization that drafted him (second-round, 33rd overall) the same year as franchise quarterback Joe Burrow in 2020.
But the Bengals, who finished a disappointing 9-8 a year ago after Burrow suffered a season-ending injury in November, recently placed the franchise tag on Higgins near the end of February.
Higgins, who just turned 25 in January, is reportedly disappointed that the Bengals have not had any talks with him about a long-term contract extension. The one-year franchise tag was for $21.8 million for the upcoming season, should the two sides not work out a long-term agreement by July 15.
News of Higgins’ request was announced just hours before the NFL’s tampering window opened at noon EDT.
In the final year of Higgins’ rookie contract a season ago, he made 42 receptions for 656 yards to go with five touchdown catches. He’s had two 1,000-yard seasons in four years with the Bengals.
Higgins finished his collegiate career in 2019 tied with Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins for most receiving touchdowns in Clemson history with 27. He had 135 catches for 2,448 yards in three seasons for Dabo Swinney’s program.
Higgins caught 59 passes for 936 yards and 12 touchdowns in the Tigers’ 15-0 national championship season in 2018.
