Most Cincinnati Bengals trade projections that include Tee Higgins fall flat because the team just won't do it. Those Bengals value their own far too much and when in an actual standoff, well,

As much as he minced his words when it came to losing games the defense gave away, he still looked like the leader the Bengals needed. If they franchise tag Higgins with the intention of trading him, the not-so-nice side of Burrow could arise.

Higgins played last season on the $21.8 million wide receiver tag, and would be set to earn around $26.2 million this time around if he signs the tag. That is higher than the proj

The most prominent example right now is ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, whose set of bold offseason projections has the Buffalo Bills blowing the Bengals “out of the water” with a Higgins trade offer:

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All indications are the Bengals and Higgins want to avoid a tag. But that second tag number would check in below the likely $30 million or more in average annual salary he could earn on the open market from another team.

With the Cincinnati Bengals missing out on the playoffs last season, the front office is actively exploring options to strengthen the roster around quarterback Joe Burrow. Three years ago, Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals faced off against the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl.