The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase extension may spell the end of another wideout, Tee Higgins this upcoming season. According to a report, the Bengals are trying hard to complete an extension for Chase after attempting to sign Higgins to a long-term extension but he’s on track to become a free agent next offseason. However, the good news is that he’s reporting for camp but it doesn’t mean he’ll stay around the organization beyond this upcoming season if he doesn’t have a contract he desires. This might put pressure on extending Chase but it’s looking like it won’t be an issue.
General Manager Mike Brown said he’s making it a priority to sign Chase to a long-term deal which Joe Burrow is their No. 1 priority. However, he implies that Chase is their “No. 2” priority which could spell the end of Higgins after this upcoming season. No one should expect an extension to come soon this summer but if it were to come down to Higgins and Chase, there would be difficult decisions to get through. The Bengals seem like they want to keep Chase around for Burrow rather than Higgins so it may come down to a final picking and choosing.
It would make sense for the Bengals to open the gateway for a trade involving Higgins rather than playing the waiting game. Many suitors would probably provide a lot in return for Higgins’ services rather than waiting until he’s a free man on the market. Cincinnati wouldn’t get anything in return for him if he becomes available next offseason. The Bengals can’t afford to keep both star playmakers on the same team so it shouldn’t surprise if Higgins is in a new uniform next season.
Bengals Receiver Ja’Marr Chase Extension May Spell End of Another Wideout Tee Higgins
Potential Trade Fits for Higgins
Los Angeles Chargers
This seems like the perfect fit for both sides being that the Chargers don’t have a legit playmaker since departing with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. However, the team would need to get creative on paying Higgins but it probably won’t matter to him next offseason since he wants to play for a team where he’ll shine. He sure won’t get the same shine anymore in Cincinnati since the Bengals are looking at Chase rather than him. Higgins would emerge as the No. 1 receiver for Justin Herbert even after signing DJ Chark and drafting Ladd McConkey.
It would change the conversation about this team’s potential so don’t be surprised if a trade happens midseason. There will likely be animosity in the locker room for the Chargers since there may be frustrations for Herbert. This would probably be the time to make a call to the Bengals for a trade.
New Orleans Saints
Rashid Shaheed is surprisingly coming back on a new contract even though he’s more of a kick-return specialist. However, the team does have Chris Olave and big shoes to fill for A.T. Perry but no one explosive. Derek Carr doesn’t have the leverage this season since he’s already on the hot seat so he’s going to have a tough time out on the field. To help boost his chances, it would be wise for the Saints to take a chance on Higgins.
They can’t afford him but they might be able to pull off something to get him as their No. 1 receiver where all the attention will be on him.
Kansas City Chiefs
Higgins is still young and has plenty of years ahead of him but he’s already been showing that he can produce numbers. He’s been a major help for Burrow even when he wasn’t around, Higgins was an explosive force. However, imagine what he could do when he steps on the field with one of the best quarterbacks in the league, Patrick Mahomes. There would be drama in the AFC if the Bengals somehow ended up trading him to their rival.
No one should expect a team to trade one of the best players to one of the best AFC teams but everything could happen at the right price.
