Just as the case has been in recent seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals are finding their stride after a slow start to the season. Winners in three straight games, Cincinnati is back over the .500 mark with a 4-3 record after a 1-3 start left people wondering whether they could do it again.
A calf injury to quarterback Joe Burrow looked to be hampering him early in the season. But, he has seemingly put it behind him, picking apart a talented San Francisco 49ers defense in Week 8 for an impressive 31-17 victory.
With the NFL trade deadline less than two hours away, it is certainly debatable whether or not the Bengals will make a move. Adding to their roster would be understandable as they look to bolster the team for the stretch run.
However, one move that they definitely won’t be making is trading away wide receiver Tee Higgins. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Bengals budding star has once again drawn interest from around the league. But, just as the case was in the offseason, Cincinnati doesn’t want to move him.
It is easy to connect the dots when it comes to why teams around the league have persistently called about Higgins. The Bengals just agreed to a massive extension with Burrow early in training camp and star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is eligible for one this upcoming offseason.
It is fair to question if the Bengals will be able to pay all three players. Higgins is heading into the final season of his rookie contract and will be a popular target in free agency. Cincinnati could use the franchise tag on him to keep him with the team for at least one more season, but his long-term home may be with a different franchise down the road.
Higgins hasn’t been anywhere near as impactful this season as in years past. In six games he has caught only 19 passes on 42 targets for 218 yards and two touchdowns. He is on pace to set career lows across the board.
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