The Kansas City Chiefs are in need of a starting-caliber wide receiver with both Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown sidelined for the rest of the regular season. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals could face a critical situation if they lose again in Week 6, putting them in a vulnerable position.
Currently, the Bengals sit at 1-4 as they prepare for a Sunday Night Football road game against the 2-3 New York Giants. A loss that drops them to 1-5 would likely end their 2024 playoff aspirations.
Adding to the complexity, wide receiver Tee Higgins is playing on a franchise tag this season and is expected to test free agency in March. This means Cincinnati could lose him without compensation if they miss the postseason.
Given this, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox placed Higgins on his October 9 edition of the “trade block big board.”
Knox acknowledged, “Tee Higgins is at the bottom of the list because the Bengals still have time to turn things around,” referencing “winnable games” against the Giants and Cleveland Browns over the next two weeks.
“If Cincinnati can climb back to .500 by the trade deadline, Higgins likely stays put,” Knox added. “However, if the Bengals continue to falter, Higgins becomes a logical trade asset since he’ll be a free agent in the spring.”
Knox also noted that “Higgins is a high-end No. 2 receiver who should fetch a decent return, even in a potentially crowded market.” He concluded by naming the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys as the most “logical suitors” if Higgins becomes available.
Would the Bengals Seriously Consider Trading Tee Higgins to the Chiefs Amid Their Pursuit of a Three-Peat?
Most Chiefs fans would welcome Higgins with open arms, as would head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, given their current wide receiver injuries.
However, the critical question is whether this trade scenario is realistic.
While Kansas City could approach the Bengals with an offer for Higgins, Cincinnati would have to weigh other potential suitors. Why would they trade a top player to one of their biggest AFC rivals unless Kansas City’s offer significantly outshines others?
The Bengals might take a business-first approach if the playoffs are out of reach. Trading Higgins could help them retool for the future, possibly securing valuable assets for next year’s draft. In this scenario, weakening the Chiefs’ future while strengthening their own roster could be a strategic move.
Veteran WRs DeAndre Hopkins & Amari Cooper Also Listed as Trade Candidates for the Chiefs
Besides Higgins, Knox also linked the Chiefs to veteran receivers DeAndre Hopkins of the Tennessee Titans and Amari Cooper of the Cleveland Browns. Both names have come up in trade speculation before, especially in Kansas City.
Knox pointed out that ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on October 5 that the Chiefs “badly” wanted to sign Hopkins during the 2023 offseason but couldn’t finalize a deal. NFL insider Ian Rapoport echoed Hopkins’ name as one to “watch” for the Chiefs during a segment on September 30.
Amari Cooper has also been floated as a possible trade target for the Chiefs. Charles Goldman of A-to-Z Sports (Kansas City coverage) and Brandon Little (Cleveland coverage) recently teamed up on a trade proposal between the teams.
“Cooper would be a perfect fit for Kansas City, having proven himself as a No. 1 receiver at every stop,” Knox stated. He added that Cooper’s contract makes sense for the Cowboys as well.
Michael Obermuller writes for Heavy.com, covering the NFL and NHL since 2021. His areas of focus include the Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and more.
