How Stefon Diggs trade could affect Tee Higgins' future with the Bengals
The Buffalo Bills pulled off a blockbuster trade that shocked the NFL world on Wednesday as they sent four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans.
Trouble had been brewing in Buffalo with Diggs for some time now dating all the way back to the Bills’ divisional round loss to the Bengals in 2023. Diggs showed his frustration with Buffalo’s quarterback Josh Allen in a sideline feud that led to a controversial offseason last year. The Bills tried to downplay the drama, but Diggs’ drop off in production last season said otherwise.
Diggs spent four years with the Bills and now will play for his third team in the NFL. For Diggs’ services, the Texans are reportedly giving the Bills a second-round pick in 2025.
What does this mean for Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Nothing. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor explained his excitement to coach Higgins this season in Cincinnati just last week at league meetings in Orlando, Florida. Don’t expect the Bengals to trade one of their best players to one of their AFC rivals. The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins with the intention that he’ll play at least one more season with the club.
Cincinnati’s front office and coaching staff believe Higgins gives them the best chance to make another Super Bowl run in the upcoming season.
“We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Taylor said at the end of March. “We think he (gives us) our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I’ve enjoyed working with Tee the last four years, I expect this year to be no different.”
Where does Higgins stand with the Bengals?
Higgins expressed his displeasure with the Bengals due to failed contract negotiations when he requested a trade ahead of free agency. The Bengals hold all the power, though. To this point, the Bengals haven’t shown any signs they would be willing to move on from Higgins ahead of this year.
The former second-round pick out of Clemson will make close to $22 million if and when he signs the franchise tag and plays in Cincinnati this season. It’s hard to imagine any scenario in which Higgins would turn down more money for one season than he’s made in four years playing in the NFL.
If the Bills received a second-round pick for a 30-year-old wide receiver, the Bengals likely believe Higgins is worth no less than a first-round pick. Higgins is only 25 years old and has recorded two 1,000-yard seasons.
Tee Higgins' value as an NFL free agent
One of the likely reasons the trade market for Higgins has been slow is because of the future contract he’ll demand. Higgins will likely hit the open market next year seeking a new deal worth more than $25 million annually. It’s hard for NFL teams to justify giving up a first-round pick while knowing they also have to pay Higgins a significant amount of money.
Even if the Bengals did agree to trade with Buffalo, the Bills wouldn’t be able to afford Higgins based off their current salary cap situation. In trading Diggs, the Bills will eat $31 million in dead cap. Per ESPN Stats & Info, this will be the highest known dead money charge for a wide receiver in any season all-time.
For the Bengals, it makes the most sense at this point for Higgins to play one more season on the franchise tag and draft a wide receiver early this year knowing both sides will part ways next year. And for the Bills, they’ll likely draft a wide receiver in the first round with an understanding while this is a costly decision for the franchise, they believe it’s what is needed moving forward.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: How Stefon Diggs, Bills trade affects Tee Higgins and the Bengals
