Bengals not trading Higgins: ‘Find your own’ WR

Bengals not trading Tee Higgins: ‘Find your own’ WR (0:54) Bengals group executive Duke Tobin absolutely makes it recognized Tee Higgins isn’t on the trading block. (0:54) 5:37 PM ET Ben BabyESPN Staff Writer Close ESPN Staff Writer Previously a college football author for The Dallas Morning News University of North Texas graduateINDIANAPOLIS– The Cincinnati Bengals absolutely let the remainder of the NFL understand that pass receiver Tee Higgins isn’t on the trading block. Throughout his yearly session at the NFL hunting integrate, group executive Duke Tobin refuted any concept that the group might be thinking about going shopping the standout receiver this offseason. The group’s long time director of gamer workers stated groups have not provided any deals, and if they did, trading Higgins wasn’t an idea. “If they desire a receiver, go discover your own,” Tobin stated Tuesday. “In my viewpoint, Tee Higgins is a great piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. The trade things is a little ludicrous today.” Higgins, a third-year gamer, will get in the last year of his novice agreement. He is among numerous gamers who will be up for agreement extensions this year or next, consisting of quarterback Joe Burrow and fellow receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Considering that getting in the league in 2020, Higgins has actually been among the most efficient receivers in the league. According to ESPN Stats & Information research study, the previous Clemson standout is among 15 gamers to have 3,000 overall getting backyards. In 2022, the second-round choice had his 2nd successive 1,000-yard season. That production has actually extended into the group’s last 2 postseason runs. In Cincinnati’s Super Bowl LVI loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Higgins had 4 catches for 100 getting lawns and 2 goals. In Cincinnati’s AFC Championship Game loss to the Kansas City Chiefs that ended the Bengals’ latest season, Higgins had a team-high 83 getting backyards and a goal in the 23-20 loss at Arrowhead Stadium. Bengals coach Zac Taylor stated that he chuckled off any chatter about the group dealing Higgins this season. “That’s why whenever you see the reports drifting around there, it’s rubbish,” Taylor stated inside the Indiana Convention. “At the end of the day, I do get to call the plays and it’s enjoyable having [playmakers] out there. You do not actually wish to consider that up.” Higgins represents a $4 million cap hit for the Bengals in 2023 as they look for to find out the futures of numerous significant gamers, consisting of Burrow. Tobin stated the group has a rough quote regarding just how much Burrow’s prospective agreement extension may cost as the group prepares to go into totally free firm, which begins the week of March 12. The group does not have a set due date as to when the agreement would be finished as the franchise quarterback enters his 4th year in the NFL. “I have actually been quite singing about what Joe implies to us, and my task is to facilitate his success as finest I can with putting pieces around him, and his agreement will get done when it gets done,” Tobin stated. “But it’s an excellent issue to have. He’s an important part of what we’re doing.” Tobin and Taylor made it clear that Higgins belongs to the group’s current success. The Bengals have actually won the AFC North in back-to-back seasons and reached a minimum of the AFC Championship Game in both of those years, splitting 2 video games versus Kansas City. Tobin, who serves as the group’s de facto basic supervisor, stated Higgins is precisely who Cincinnati wishes for when it gets a gamer in the draft. “I picture him belonging to what we do moving forward for a long period of time,” Tobin stated. “That’s the hope. We desire our people– particularly our people that can be found in and show that they can assist us win in a huge method.”

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