NFL Rumors: Tee Higgins Eyed by Steelers amid Trade Request, Bengals Contract Dispute

zach bacharContributor IApril 12, 2024

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have held “internal discussions” regarding a trade involving Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, according to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.

Fillipponi noted that the Steelers “love” Higgins as a player although they have “questions about acquisition cost and his next contract cost.”

Cincinnati franchise tagged the receiver on Feb. 23, with ESPN’s Matt Miller reporting on Thursday that the two sides have not started conversations about a potential long-term contract.

Higgins requested a trade in March due to the lack of a long-term deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. While the Bengals aren’t required to work out a trade, they would risk watching him leave as a free agent without any return in the 2025 offseason after playing on the franchise tag.

There are some concerns about a potential trade between the two teams, as they’ve developed into fierce AFC North rivals throughout the past decade. The Bengals would likely be hesitant to trade a standout wide receiver such as Higgins to an opponent that they would need to face twice each season.

The Steelers could use another wideout to pair alongside former second-round pick George Pickens, especially after they traded veteran Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers on March 12.

Pittsburgh has revamped its offense during the offseason, signing nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson as a free agent before trading for Chicago Bears signal-caller Justin Fields as his backup.

While Higgins fits well with the team on paper, Steelers general manager Omar Khan will likely take his availability into account during a potential pursuit. He recorded a career-low 656 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, playing in only 12 games due to a hamstring issue.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportTEE HIGGINS. WHAT A TD 🤯🤯🤯

(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/Ir7umS8Vo1

Still, the 25-year-old has surpassed 1,000 yards in two of his four NFL seasons and already has seven playoff games under his belt. If a trade is agreed upon, the Steelers would own one of the AFC’s most imposing offenses entering training camp.