The Cincinnati Bengals are the winners of the offseason lottery when it comes to baseless trade speculation.
The subject? Wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Higgins is eligible for an extension with the team as he enters the final year of his deal in 2023. From an outsider’s perspective, that makes it seem like Higgins is a possible trade target for other teams, especially with the Bengals urgently focused on the extension for Joe Burrow and undoubtedly setting aside money for Ja’Marr Chase’s extension down the road.
But in reality, there’s a better chance the Bengals extend Higgins right after Burrow this offseason than there is the team actually trades him.
Still, speculation hit a fever pitch on Friday, so here’s a look at what went down and how 30ish other fanbases are wondering if Higgins might be available.
Near the start...
…a misrepresentation of a column by The Atheltic’s Paul Dehner Jr. made the rounds. He merely stated the facts — if things go to the extreme and the parties can’t work something out, the Bengals might entertain massive trade offers. Things aren’t going to get to that point, but we’d be remiss to not point it out. The Higgins speculation had already started by this point, but it serves as a good timestamp compared to Higgins’ reaction tweet.
Well, guess this needs to be posted for all to see since it was aggregated and egregiously misrepresented from my #Bengals offseason path series (https://t.co/dH6fhQhSxn).
Here’s the entire entry on Tee Higgins in the extension candidate section.
Don’t believe the clickbait. pic.twitter.com/cpKGhSI9fn
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) February 3, 2023
Higgins' response to it all
Here y’all go😂
— Tee Higgins⁵ (@teehiggins5) February 3, 2023
The rest of the speculation and reactions
I don’t know who started this, but there’s no way in hell I’d trade Tee Higgins if I’m Cincinnati. There are other ways to save cap space. He’s a blue chipper.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 3, 2023
Every fanbase is now clamouring for their team to trade for Tee Higgins. See how fake news can spread @NFL_DovKleiman?
— Bengals UK (@WhoDey_UK) February 3, 2023
Hey @ChicagoBears
Trade for Tee Higgins
🤝
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) February 3, 2023
Take it as a compliment that everyone in the league is trying to find a way for their team to get Tee Higgins.
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) February 3, 2023
Looks pretty good doesn’t it? @teehiggins5 pic.twitter.com/1L1GckWNFR
— Bears Nation (@BearsNationCHI) February 3, 2023
The Tee Higgins trade propaganda is fun but he ain’t going anywhere. Moving on.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) February 3, 2023
The Vikings extended Diggs before he asked for a trade. They got lucky with Jefferson.
The Titans traded A.J. Brown and promptly missed the playoffs while his new team is going to the Super Bowl.
Neither of these are justifications for trading Tee Higgins before 2023.
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) February 3, 2023
I'll eat this tweet if the Bengals trade Tee Higgins this offseason
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) February 3, 2023
Aaron Rodgers has to be plan A, B, and C. Signing Derek Carr + trading a premium pick for a Mike Evans, Deandre Hopkins, or Tee Higgins is a hell of a plan D.
— Cali (@CaliJets) February 3, 2023
Mac going to the airport to pick up Higgins after a trade to the @Patriots pic.twitter.com/dzAbGKf9bQ
— Nathaniel (@ndonovan99) February 3, 2023
Pick #11 for Tee Higgins.
Who says no??
Remember, you’d have to pay Higgins big time money if you make the trade. Probably close to what AJ got. https://t.co/3tIvm7id35
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) February 3, 2023
Tee Higgins would be the best WR prospect in this class by a good bit. Your fav team would be dumb not to send a 1st outside the top-10 for him
— Kev Mahserejian (@RotoSurgeon) February 3, 2023
Tee Higgins YOU are a New York Giant https://t.co/YXEJzVrQPy pic.twitter.com/ya1VyhLKtp
— Brian Daboll Enjoyer (@KayvonPlzSack) February 3, 2023
We gonna get you a real QB soon lil bro pic.twitter.com/xbINZTz6R7
— VBS (@VBSofficial_) February 3, 2023
IF … (and I don’t think it happens this off-season) … Tee Higgins is traded …
My dream:
JAX trades their 1+3 for The Clemson Reunion Tour:
TLAW
+
ETN
+
TEE! (X) + Ridley (Z) + Kirk (Y)Immediately the best 11P offense in the NFL
— Jakob Sanderson (@JakobSanderson) February 3, 2023
Texans hold the No. 2 & No. 12 pick (acquired from the Browns in the Deshaun Watson trade).
Trade No. 12 for Tee Higgins. Then pay him.
Houston ranks 5th in projected cap space for 2023.
3rd in projected cap space in 2024.If you've got a QB on a rookie deal… why NOT?
— Kate Magdziuk (@katemagdziuk) February 3, 2023
Tired: Trade Tee Higgins
Wired: Trade Tyler Boyd
— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) February 3, 2023
