INDIANAPOLIS -- A Tee Higgins trade? Over Duke Tobin's dead body.
At least, that's the message the Cincinnati Bengals general manager conveyed Tuesday when asked about trade rumors involving his star wide receiver.
Higgins, who has one year left on his current contract, has been a subject of trade speculation since the start of the offseason. Although there haven't been any concrete reports indicating Cincy would consider moving the 24-year-old, many assume inevitable contact extensions for Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow will force the Bengals to move Higgins before he hits free agency. The New England Patriots, who need help at receiver, are among the teams viewed as potential suitors for a Higgins trade.
But it takes two to tango. And, at this point, Tobin seems unwilling to do the dance.
"Another vital part of our team," Tobin said while speaking with reporters at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. "He's exactly what we're hoping for when we draft a guy. A guy that comes in, develops, fills the role, helps us win in a lot of ways, does it the right way, fits into our culture. Tee's an exceptional football player. I envision him being part of what we do going forward for a long time. That's the hope. We want our guys and especially our guys that come in and prove they can help us win in a big way."
A follow-up question about Higgins drew an even stronger reaction from Tobin.
"I'm not in the business of making other teams better," he said. "I'm in the business of making the Cincinnati Bengals better. And, so, trading Tee Higgins is not on my mind. That's their problem. If they want a receiver, go find your own. My opinion, Tee Higgins is a good piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. The trade stuff is a little ridiculous right now."
Well, that settles that... or does it?
Tobin talked a big game, and it's not like he was going to stand in front of a group of reporters and admit to exploring a Higgins trade. But the reality is the Bengals can't pay everyone, especially with their needs on the offensive line and on defense.
So, we'll see what happens. One thing's for sure: Whoever employs Higgins next season will benefit from having one of the top young wideouts in the NFL.
The 6-foot-4 athletic specimen caught 74 balls for 1,029 yards and seven touchdowns this season, numbers in line with the production he enjoyed in his first two campaigns. And the 2020 second-round pick sharing targets with Chase, one of the NFL's truly elite receivers, and Tyler Boyd, one of Burrow's most trusted targets.
Higgins is a legitimate star and still has room to grow. If he gets dealt this offseason, it'll take a major trade package -- and likely a rich new contract -- to bring him into the fold. Whether Bill Belichick and the Patriots would break custom to execute such a blockbuster is anyone's guess.
