Wide receiver Tee Higgins’ future with the Cincinnati Bengals remains unclear after requesting a trade earlier during the offseason. In this regard, the Jacksonville Jaguars should swoop in to reunite him with his former teammate, Trevor Lawrence.
Higgins burst onto the scene in 2020 when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the second round of the NFL Draft. The former Clemson standout made an immediate impact, tying a Bengals rookie record with 67 receptions and finishing third among all rookie receivers with 908 yards.
Higgins took another step forward in 2021, emerging as a top target for quarterback Joe Burrow. However, his 2022 campaign was hampered by a lingering hamstring injury, leading to career lows in receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
Despite the setback, the Bengals remain committed to Higgins, placing the franchise tag on him earlier this year. He re-signed with Cincinnati on a one-year deal, positioning him for a bounce-back season in 2024.
With Ja’Marr Chase drawing significant defensive attention, Higgins is poised to thrive as the Bengals’ WR2 and continue his upward trajectory. If he can stay healthy, the 24-year-old has the talent to cement his status as one of the league’s premier young wide receivers.
Tee Higgins Identified As Possible Trade Target For Jacksonville Jaguars
In the event Cincinnati entertains the idea of trading Higgins, they may consider the Jaguars as a possible option. In an article for Bleacher Report, Kristopher Knox detailed why Jacksonville should review this move.
“If Higgins is or becomes available, the Jacksonville Jaguars should be interested. They did use a first-round pick on receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but they also lost Calvin Ridley in free agency.
Adding a receiver of Higgins’ caliber could help maximize quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who just inked a massive five-year, $275 million extension.
In four pro seasons, Higgins has racked up 257 catches, 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns. Before entering the NFL, he was teammates with Lawrence at Clemson.
And the idea of a reunion seems to appeal to Lawrence.
“So many factors are at play, but of course, that’s a guy that I played with, we have a great chemistry, great player,” he told Yahoo Sports (h/t Adam Stites of Jags Wire). “I would not be upset at all if he came to Jacksonville.”
It’s a reunion the Jaguars should actively pursue, as they hope to see Lawrence justify his new contract. In Higgins’ final season with the quarterback at Clemson, the wideout caught 59 passes for 1,167 yards and 13 touchdowns,” Knox wrote.
Reuniting the two in Jacksonville will surely be a reason to rejoice for Jaguars fans. As it stands, this potential trade can help the team improve its 9-8 record during the 2023-24 season.
It remains to be seen whether Higgins stays with the Bengals, ends up in Jacksonville, or gets traded to another team. In any case, the upside he offers with Lawrence as the quarterback may entice the Jaguars to make a move on him.
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