The Cincinnati Bengals have a few key players set to hit free agency this offseason, including wide receiver Tee Higgins. The 26-year-old played the entire 2024 season on the franchise tag, and the team plans to use the tag once again if they can’t agree to a long-term deal with the star playmaker, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Tagging Higgins for the second consecutive year would allow Cincinnati to continue having contract talks. However, the Bengals could also look to trade the former Clemson standout and acquire draft capital instead of losing him for nothing. If this scenario transpires, The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher predicts Higgins will be traded to the Washington Commanders.
Mosher’s proposed trade package sends the Commanders’ 2025 second-round pick to Cincinnati for Higgins.
“Paying Higgins top-of-the-market money wouldn’t be an issue for the Commanders. But what would they need to give up to get him? How about pick No. 61, which is at the bottom of Round 2. Giving up assets to pay a player right away usually isn’t good business, but the Commanders can’t afford to wait,” Mosher wrote.
“This isn’t an ideal situation for the Bengals, but at least it gives them another pick inside the top 64 that they could use to rebuild the offensive line or the defense. It would also free up some cap space so they can afford to keep players like Trey Hendrickson and Mike Hilton on defense. This should be the worst-case scenario for the Bengals if they aren’t able to agree to a long-term deal with Higgins,” Mosher added.
Washington had an excellent 2024 campaign, as Jayden Daniels proved to be the quarterback of the future, and the team made a run to the NFC Championship Game.
Though the Commanders impressed last season, Dan Quinn’s squad still has some glaring weaknesses, especially at wide receiver. Outside of Terry McLaurin, Washington lacked productive and consistent receiving options.
General manager Adam Peters is projected to have $82 million in cap space to work with this offseason, per Over the Cap, so the franchise should be able to make a bunch of moves. Trading for Higgins and signing him to a long-term deal to give Daniels another dynamic receiver would be a logical acquisition.
The Commanders’ Super Bowl window is wide open, and the team must take advantage of Daniels being on a rookie quarterback contract. Though it will cost draft capital and a ton of money to bring Tee Higgins to Washington, Adam Peters should make the all-in move and take Washington’s offense to the next level.
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