The Cincinnati Bengals have a ton of questions to answer this offseason, including the future of wide receiver Tee Higgins. The 26-year-old played the entire 2024 season on the franchise tag, and according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the team is likely to use the tag for the second consecutive offseason if they can’t reach a long-term deal with the star playmaker.
However, with just a few days until the 4 p.m. EST deadline on Mar. 4, Cincinnati hasn’t told Higgins whether he will be franchise-tagged, with the main priority being signing him to an extension, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
“With the possibility of the franchise tag being placed on Tee Higgins, I was told Bengals decision-makers are stressing the need to get a long-term deal done with the 26-year-old. The organization has not informed Higgins’ side about whether he will be tagged before Tuesday’s deadline,” Russini wrote.
There’s a good chance Higgins will be playing elsewhere in 2025, and if the former Clemson standout departs, Sportskeeda’s Vincent Pensabene believes the team should target San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk in a trade to replace Higgins.
The Cincinnati Bengals could essentially swap out Tee Higgins and replace him with Aiyuk. Pairing Ja’Marr Chase with Aiyuk would be an upgrade and potentially a more affordable option than re-signing Higgins.
This move could also make Joe Burrow’s life easier by securing a high-level No.2 receiver. Aiyuk’s contract could allow the front office to invest in the defensive side of the ball and help the Bengals return to the postseason.
Aiyuk’s 2024 season was cut short due to a torn ACL and MCL. The veteran played seven games and hauled in 25 receptions for 374 yards.
After the 49ers traded fellow wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders on Saturday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport stated that San Francisco is also open to moving Aiyuk. The former Arizona State standout signed a four-year extension worth $120 million last offseason.
Though Aiyuk landing with the Bengals would be fun, it doesn’t make much sense for either side. Cincinnati would be foolish not to sign Higgins to a long-term extension and instead take on Aiyuk’s lucrative contract while giving up draft capital to the 49ers. Additionally, the team still needs to get extensions done with All-Pros Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson, and adding Aiyuk won’t help their financial situation.
For San Francisco, the deal could make sense if the Bengals franchise tag Higgins and both teams perform a wide receiver swap. However, general manager John Lynch has a ton of needs to address this offseason and also has to get an extension done with quarterback Brock Purdy, so paying a receiver top-of-the-market money wouldn’t be a wise move.
Overall, Brandon Aiyuk landing in Cincinnati would be an intriguing fit, but it’s unlikely that a logical trade package between both franchises can be constructed for the move to occur.
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