Jeff Dean/Getty ImagesContract Projection: Three years, $71 million with $47 million guaranteed
Like Sneed and Burns, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was given the franchise tag this offseason. Shortly after, he requested a trade, and teams believe Cincinnati may be willing to at least listen to offers, according to Fowler.
There are reasons for teams to believe this. Higgins wants out and is due a lucrative second contract. The Bengals signed quarterback Joe Burrow to a massive extension last offseason, and No. 1 receiver Ja'Marr Chase is now extension-eligible.
Financially, it may not be reasonable for Cincinnati to extend both Higgins and Chase.
While Higgins has largely filled the No. 2 receiver role in Cincinnati, he's shown plenty of signs that he could be a No. 1 elsewhere. Despite splitting the target share with Chase, the 25-year-old had 1,000-yard campaigns in both 2021 and 2022.
The New England Patriots need a No. 1 target and are open to trading for receiver help, according to head coach Jerod Mayo.
"One hundred percent. We're still open on the trade market," he told reporters.
The Patriots just happen to lead the league in available cap space. The Los Angeles Chargers have the third-most cap space after parting with both Mike Williams and Keenan Allen.
L.A. might not seem like a logical landing spot after it traded Allen, but it's worth noting that he is six years older than Higgins.
Higgins, 25, would give the Chargers a young, ascending receiver to pair with quarterback Justin Herbert.
Contract-wise, the three-year, $70 million deal that 26-year-old Michael Pittman Jr. just signed with the Indianapolis Colts is probably a good starting point for Higgins.
Potential Suitors: Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots
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