I know this has been discussed before, but a website for the Patriots is saying that a Higgins trade looks possible after they lost out on the Kupp sweepstakes.

It says how they were willing to throw a blank check at him in free agency until we did the "unthinkable" and tagged him:

Quote:Before free agency began, there was a lot of hype around Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins testing the market for the first time in his career and speculation about just how much money he would yield from a new team. The Patriots were at the top of the list of potential suitors since they badly needed a high caliber wide receiver and had previously inquired about trading for Higgins.

This would be their first opportunity to throw a blank check at their next franchise star, only for the Bengals to make the unthinkable move of franchise tagging Higgins for the second year in a row despite the conflict that ensued because of it last offseason.

That took him out of contention for a trade and forced the Patriots to look elsewhere for receiver help, which led to them being a frontrunner for the recently released Cooper Kupp.

However, several teams' interest in signing the former Super Bowl MVP and his alleged high asking price might turn off New England, making the latest drama involving Cincinnati and Higgins music to the Patriots' ears.

We're either going to overpay for him, which would be stupid because we need to add other pieces to this team to make us a serious contender, or we're going to lose him after this year, which would be a kick in the balls, so we need to get this done.

Quote:With limited free agent options remaining and an equal or higher price being demanded for other potential tradeable receivers, Mike Vrabel and Co. have no reason not to make the call or even make their best offer.

If the plan really is to put Drake Maye in the best position possible this season, they need to do all that they can to ensure that happens by exploring every possible avenue to acquire the kind of talent he should be surrounded by, including potentially adding Higgins to the offense.

I highly doubt this was the plan all along from the front office, but I'll give them all the credit in the world if they can pull this off. I just hope they're not too stubborn and/or make the asking price too high.

Let's hope (PRAY) that it gets done!

That Patriots have an early 2nd round pick correct?

Tagging Higgins again wasn't "unthinkable".  I think most people expected it.  Also he can't be traded until he signs his franchise tender.  

(8 hours ago)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: That Patriots have an early 2nd round pick correct?

They also pick #4. There options for a great WR are nil at #4.

Why woud they not consider giving their young QB while on a rookie deal a TD machine? 

If Bengals, why would they trade Tee for a 3rd or 4th second pick in the draft. Bengals used the 33rd pick (1st pick in 2nd round) on Tee and he has not disappointed.

If Pats want him, they need to give us the 4th pick in the draft.

(8 hours ago)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: That Patriots have an early 2nd round pick correct?

They have the 6th pick in the 2nd round.  It would also be nice to get their 4th round pick which is the 4th pick in the 4th round

(8 hours ago)George Cantstandya Wrote: Tagging Higgins again wasn't "unthinkable".  I think most people expected it.  Also he can't be traded until he signs his franchise tender.  

True, but no team is going to agree to a trade until they are able to discuss long term deal for Tee. It would nuts to give a 1st or 2nd round or more for 1 guaranteed year.

(8 hours ago)007BengalsFan Wrote: They have the 6th pick in the 2nd round.  It would also be nice to get their 4th round pick which is the 4th pick in the 4th round

So Bengals should get less than they paid for him if they only offer a 2nd round?

No way Bengals should do that.

(8 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: They also pick #4. There options for a great WR are nil at #4.

Why woud they not consider giving their young QB while on a rookie deal a TD machine? 

If Bengals, why would they trade Tee for a 3rd or 4th second pick in the draft. Bengals used the 33rd pick (1st pick in 2nd round) on Tee and he has not disappointed.

If Pats want him, they need to give us the 4th pick in the draft.

No way they give up the 4th overall pick. Maybe they switch first rounders with us, but even that seems very unlikely to me.

(8 hours ago)007BengalsFan Wrote: They have the 6th pick in the 2nd round.  It would also be nice to get their 4th round pick which is the 4th pick in the 4th round

Thanks, their early 2nd round pick and early 4th round pick seems fair and that frees up a lot of money to add a Guard, WR or whatever.

(8 hours ago)George Cantstandya Wrote: Tagging Higgins again wasn't "unthinkable".  I think most people expected it.  Also he can't be traded until he signs his franchise tender.  

Nothing is stopping New England from talking to Tee to work out a deal.  The Bengals would need to agree to it however and then Tee would need to sign the franchise tag so he could be officially traded.  It could happen and I think at this point it is probably in the best interests of Tee and the Bengals to make it happen if New England is ready to make the deal.

Edit:  Just wanted to add, Tee might not need to sign the franchise tag with the Bengals before he is traded.  The Bengals might be able to trade Tee's franchise rights to the Patriots without Tee ever signing the tag with the Bengals.

(8 hours ago)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: No way they give up the 4th overall pick. Maybe they switch first rounders with us, but even that seems very unlikely to me.


Thanks, their early 2nd round pick and early 4th round pick seems fair and that frees up a lot of money to add a Guard, WR or whatever.

My point was only the 6th pick in round 2 was. not close to being fair compensation for a guy drafted 5 picks earlier in round 2. He gained value, he did not lose value. 

(8 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: True, but no team is going to agree to a trade until they are able to discuss long term deal for Tee. It would nuts to give a 1st or 2nd round or more for 1 guaranteed year.

Of course.

(8 hours ago)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: That Patriots have an early 2nd round pick correct?

They have pick #30, I believe. I literally just watched a short Tik-Tok video from some dude talking about the same thing. He said it was shitty but it was business. Tag Tee and trade to Pats for #30. Then he went into some other things about signing FAs that have already been signed by other teams. 

(7 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: My point was only the 6th pick in round 2 was. not close to being fair compensation for a guy drafted 5 picks earlier in round 2. He gained value, he did not lose value. 

Yeah, they would have to give us a couple picks.

(7 hours ago)007BengalsFan Wrote: Nothing is stopping New England from talking to Tee to work out a deal.  The Bengals would need to agree to it however and then Tee would need to sign the franchise tag so he could be officially traded.  It could happen and I think at this point it is probably in the best interests of Tee and the Bengals to make it happen if New England is ready to make the deal.

Edit:  Just wanted to add, Tee might not need to sign the franchise tag with the Bengals before he is traded.  The Bengals might be able to trade Tee's franchise rights to the Patriots without Tee ever signing the tag with the Bengals.

As of now with the non-exclusive tag a team can make an offer and give the Bengals an opportunity to match.  If the Bengals don't match and the team signs Higgins they give up two first round picks.  I don't think right now that a team can work out a deal with Higgins to negotiate a deal and a trade.  I think that would be considered tampering.  They can certainly offer him a deal but I think it stops there.

Also:

https://operations.nfl.com/inside-football-ops/nfl-operations/2025-nfl-free-agency/franchise-tags/

Quote:Each of the different tags (non-exclusive, exclusive, transition) can be withdrawn by the team at any time before the player signs it. However, the tenders are guaranteed for skill, cap and injury once signed. A player must sign his tender to be traded to another team.

"Unthinkable" if they that dramatic they need to come with a trade package.

Once Chase gets locked up and can't hold the team hostage with Tee, I think they'll feel better about trading Tee. What is Chase going to do then? Give back his 124m guarantee?

I think the Pats could give us their second and a third since they have two third rounders, which I'd be happy with because then we can take at least one of the top guards and probably at least one in the second tier.

This needs to happen.

(7 hours ago)George Cantstandya Wrote: As of now with the non-exclusive tag a team can make an offer and give the Bengals an opportunity to match.  If the Bengals don't match and the team signs Higgins they give up two first round picks.  I don't think right now that a team can work out a deal with Higgins to negotiate a deal and a trade.  I think that would be considered tampering.  They can certainly offer him a deal but I think it stops there.

The trade part would be the Patriots negotiating with the Bengals for something less than 2 1st round picks.  The Patriots could certainly sign Tee to an offer sheet without negotiating with the Bengals at all.  I dont see that happening however due to the cost.

(7 hours ago)coachmcneil71 Wrote: They have pick #30, I believe. I literally just watched a short Tik-Tok video from some dude talking about the same thing. He said it was shitty but it was business. Tag Tee and trade to Pats for #30. Then he went into some other things about signing FAs that have already been signed by other teams. 

Nah, they have the 4th overall and the 6th pick of the 2nd round as 007 said. Would take at least their 2nd round pick and a 4th rounder for us to 
be interested pretty sure.

(7 hours ago)007BengalsFan Wrote: The trade part would be the Patriots negotiating with the Bengals for something less than 2 1st round picks.  The Patriots could certainly sign Tee to an offer sheet without negotiating with the Bengals at all.  I dont see that happening however due to the cost.

They can't trade with the Bengals until Higgins signs his tender.  That's what I'm talking about. I'd have to dig through the CBA but I'm not even sure a team can legally negotiate a trade for an unsigned tagged player because I think technically they are not under contract. Sure I guess they could do some behind the scenes, "Hey we'll give you this and that round pick if you get Tee to sign his tender and you trade him to us."   But even then Higgins doesn't have to sign his tender until after the draft.  So if he doesn't want to go to said team he holds a few cards there as well as I imagine the Bengals would want draft picks this year for any trade. 

Of course any tag and trade will have to be an agreement not only between teams but also that the player wants to go there and will sign an extension. That's kind of a big distinction IMO with the tag and trade, the players willingness to go to said team and sign an extension.  Where any normal trade the player doesn't really have a choice unless they want to sit out and refuse to play.

(8 hours ago)Luvnit2 Wrote: They also pick #4. There options for a great WR are nil at #4.



If Pats want him, they need to give us the 4th pick in the draft.

Travis Hunter, the reigning Heisman winner, is nil?

LOL, the 4th overall pick for Tee.