The Buffalo Bills sent shockwaves through the NFL by trading star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. With a significant hole in their receiving corps, speculation immediately turned to potential replacements. One name that has surfaced is Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins. Could this blockbuster trade actually happen?
This offseason, Higgins requested a trade from the Bengals after being franchise tagged. This move clearly frustrated Higgins, and the Bengals now have until mid-July to negotiate a long-term contract. If an agreement isn’t reached, the situation will likely be revisited next offseason, or the Bengals could explore a trade sooner.
Alt: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins making a reception during an NFL game.
One proposed trade scenario, suggested by Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, involves the Bills sending a 2025 second-round pick and a 2024 fifth-round pick to Cincinnati in exchange for Higgins. This move would instantly elevate Higgins to the Bills’ number one receiver. However, despite the potential upside, this trade presents challenges for both teams.
For the Bills, Higgins’ potential salary demands could prove problematic. Buffalo’s salary cap situation is already strained, absorbing a $31 million dead cap hit from the Diggs trade. Earlier this offseason, the Bills released several key players just to get under the cap, highlighting their limited financial flexibility.
Alt: The Buffalo Bills logo, symbolizing the team’s identity and NFL presence.
From the Bengals’ perspective, trading Higgins isn’t a necessity. Cincinnati is a Super Bowl contender, and losing a key offensive weapon like Higgins would significantly hinder their chances. While Higgins could theoretically hold out in 2024, that scenario appears unlikely at this point.
Alt: The Cincinnati Bengals logo, representative of the team’s brand and position in the NFL.
The idea of Higgins replacing Diggs in Buffalo is enticing, but the reality of the situation suggests it’s a long shot. The financial implications for the Bills and the Bengals’ desire to contend for a championship make this trade a complex proposition. While the possibility remains, several factors would need to align for this blockbuster deal to come to fruition.
While a trade for Tee Higgins would undoubtedly bolster the Bills’ receiving corps, the financial and competitive realities for both teams suggest that this scenario is unlikely at this juncture. The Bills will need to explore other avenues to address their receiving needs, while the Bengals will continue to work towards a long-term agreement with their star wide receiver.
