Rapien - Bengals Must Tag Tee Higgins

[Luvnit2]

I love a healthy Tee Higgins. Bengals have 2 #1 WR's. Chase is arguably the best WR in the NFL or top 3 at worst. Tee could be a #1 on 10 or 12 NFL teams. The question becomes if Burrow is as great as we all think he is, why does he need 2 #1 WR's who will call a boatload of cash and cap the next 4 or 5 years.

Bengals need a solid #2 WR and Slayton could be that guy in my opinion. I have been back and forth all year on Tee. I think our best bet would be to tag and trade Tee. We should get a 1st and 3rd round pick minimum and maybe a 2nd and 3rd the following year as well. If you are team looking to draft a WR with picks 7 thru 14, he is by far best available.

If we had 2 1st round picks in 2025, I think we could easily find a very good #2 in the draft in round 1 or 2. A guy like Slayton would also be a great option. If we paid Slayton say 10 million in cap in 2025, we have 16 million to put towards a great OG or very good pass rushing DE to pair with Trey. There are other options for a #2 as well the 8 to 10 million range for 1st year cap hit.

Bengals have many options; I would love to get a great value in a trade for Tee.

[NUGDUKWE]

The Bengals are on hook for the LEAST amount of money for players that aren't the QB.

In. The. Entire. League.

They can pay EVERYONE and add others. https://t.co/M8CEx9QWgt

— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) February 16, 2025

I just saw this and thought it was relevant.

[pulses]

(02-15-2025, 11:49 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: 2018 he was 4th in rush yards so I would say that puts him top 5 in my mind. Then in 2019 the 2nd half of the season he was 2nd only behind Henry. He was never the focus with Taylor being here and that's the point I was making. Taylor is more focused on the pass. I think 2019 might be the perfect example of how that can effect the run game as you go from the worst to 2nd by only making it more of a priority. 

Mixon has never been a complete back that's why he goes out on 3rd down. Never been a top 5 back IMO and not even close to a hall of famer either.

[J24]

(02-15-2025, 11:53 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote:

The Bengals are on hook for the LEAST amount of money for players that aren't the QB.

In. The. Entire. League.

They can pay EVERYONE and add others. https://t.co/M8CEx9QWgt

— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) February 16, 2025

I just saw this and thought it was relevant.

Thank you  for posting this!

[NUGDUKWE]

(02-16-2025, 12:15 AM)pulses Wrote: Mixon has never been a complete back that's why he goes out on 3rd down. Never been a top 5 back IMO and not even close to a hall of famer either.

Okay. I wasn't saying he's a hall a famer or that he continued to be a top 5 back in recent years. I was merely pointing out that we have an example in a vacuum of what Taylor does with a solid back and that is to still rely heavily on the pass. Chase Brown has the potential to do more with less opportunities and thats good but the run game isn't going to be the primary focus. Not saying I want it that way or not just that it won't be.

[pulses]

(02-16-2025, 12:26 AM)NUGDUKWE Wrote: Okay. I wasn't saying he's a hall a famer or that he continued to be a top 5 back in recent years. I was merely pointing out that we have an example in a vacuum of what Taylor does with a solid back and that is to still rely heavily on the pass. Chase Brown has the potential to do more with less opportunities and thats good but the run game isn't going to be the primary focus. Not saying I want it that way or not just that it won't be.

But with a better OL they will run more than in the previous years.

[NUGDUKWE]

(02-16-2025, 01:02 AM)pulses Wrote: But with a better OL they will run more than in the previous years.

Is it a possibility sure. But based on the evidence we have i would say that won't be the case.

[BFritz21]

I can't find it now but I was reading on my phone earlier where an article was saying we should tag and trade Tee and then sign a free agent tight end like Gesicki, who will be more valuable than Tee because he'll be able to keep defenders in the center of the field and keep them from running out to cover the receivers on the outside.

I don't want to piss off Burrow but Burrow also knows that this is a business and, if signing Tee for big money keeps us from improving the team in other areas, that cutting him is just part of the business.

I will say that, if we don't sign Tee, we better use that money to make sure our line can protect Burrow and our defense can stop someone.

[puddycat]

Tee could make more on another team. He is a WR1 who can line up outside or he slot. A healthy Tee will continue to be a 1000 yard WR2 in Cincinnati. IMO there is not enough ball to go around to 3 WRs, a TE and a RB. I don't like Burrow leading the year in passing attempts every year. The Bengals need to tag, make a fair offer, and be ready to let him find a trade. See Chris Godwin's history with TB for a template.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(02-15-2025, 09:49 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: No to Andrews, he looks washed to me and a choker in the biggest games.

Mark Andrews: 673 yards (12.1 avg)/11 TDs, 79.7% catch rate
Mike Gesicki: 665 yards (10.2 avg)/2 TDs, 78.3% catch rate

If Andrews is washed then I would like to add two washed TEs this offseason, please. Lol... he was better in all receiving categories than Gesicki despite not having Burrow (leading the NFL in completions, attempts, yards, and TDs) as his QB, but as a huge advantage isn't just a big WR and actually blocks.

[TecmoBengals]

(02-16-2025, 11:50 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Mark Andrews: 673 yards (12.1 avg)/11 TDs, 79.7% catch rate
Mike Gesicki: 665 yards (10.2 avg)/2 TDs, 78.3% catch rate

If Andrews is washed then I would like to add two washed TEs this offseason, please. Lol... he was better in all receiving categories than Gesicki despite not having Burrow (leading the NFL in completions, attempts, yards, and TDs) as his QB, but as a huge advantage isn't just a big WR and actually blocks.

I wonder how Burrow and the offense would fair if it were 2 talented TEs and Chase as opposed to Tee/Chase and a TE.

[samhain]

I'm completely schizophrenic about the situation.  Logically, it's not great to pay 2 wrs the money that 1 and 5 will demand.  

There's just a lot of unknown with letting him go.  Yes it frees up cap, but where does that cap go?  Are they going to be aggressive?  Maybe acquire guys like a Milton Williams or Sweat?  Go out and get a real stud safety like Holland?  Couple of guards?

Our unknowns that replace knowns haven't exactly gone swimmingly over the last few years.  We can stream TEs with the best of them if you forget Irv Smith.  The handful of mid free agents last year were righteous trash minus Magic Mike.  Still haven't replaced Bates.  Tried twice and both guys sucked.  No legitimate pass rusher outside of Trey despite spending a first on Murphy.  

Bottom line is, I'm not so sure Tee leaving does much for this team outside of removing one of it's best players.  It creates yet another hole to fill with finite money and finite day 1 and 2 picks.  If there were other young players on the roster to extend then sure.  They just haven't done a lot in terms of talent acquisition to give me faith.  

I know what Burrow, Chase and Higgins are.  They're a legitimately elite offense that wins playoff games when they get there.  Selling off a key part of that group to make them less elite is risky.  Unless you're bent on building an elite OL (which they have failed to do with every conceivable resource) or defense (will take more than one offseason), then letting Tee go makes the team worse.  

Who have they signed or drafted over the last 3 years that amounts to the impact Higgins has on their success?  Mims is a good player and Mike is a solid TE.  Both of them combined do not provide the value that Tee does.  

I guess what I'm trying to say is, unless this front office gets a lot better real fast, letting Higgins go is much more likely to hurt than help in 2025.

[BenZoo2]

(02-15-2025, 11:53 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote:

The Bengals are on hook for the LEAST amount of money for players that aren't the QB.

In. The. Entire. League.

They can pay EVERYONE and add others. https://t.co/M8CEx9QWgt

— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) February 16, 2025

I just saw this and thought it was relevant.

Now this is something everyone should/will be paying attention to.  It would be a damn shame for this organization to not go all in for a championship while we have a qb capable of winning one.  They need to be smart about it but they can extend some of their own and upgrade a a couple of spots with outside guys.

[BenZoo2]

(02-15-2025, 11:52 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I love a healthy Tee Higgins. Bengals have 2 #1 WR's. Chase is arguably the best WR in the NFL or top 3 at worst. Tee could be a #1 on 10 or 12 NFL teams. The question becomes if Burrow is as great as we all think he is, why does he need 2 #1 WR's who will call a boatload of cash and cap the next 4 or 5 years.

Bengals need a solid #2 WR and Slayton could be that guy in my opinion. I have been back and forth all year on Tee. I think our best bet would be to tag and trade Tee. We should get a 1st and 3rd round pick minimum and maybe a 2nd and 3rd the following year as well. If you are team looking to draft a WR with picks 7 thru 14, he is by far best available.

If we had 2 1st round picks in 2025, I think we could easily find a very good #2 in the draft in round 1 or 2. A guy like Slayton would also be a great option. If we paid Slayton say 10 million in cap in 2025, we have 16 million to put towards a great OG or very good pass rushing DE to pair with Trey. There are other options for a #2 as well the 8 to 10 million range for 1st year cap hit.

Bengals have many options; I would love to get a great value in a trade for Tee.

On April 28, 2022, during the 2022 NFL draft, Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for the 18th overall pick in the 2022 draft, which the Titans used to select wide receiver Treylon Burks from Arkansas, a player widely compared to Brown. Tennessee also received a third-round pick.


I think this is a reasonable comp for a potential Higgins trade.  Brown was probably a better at the time he was traded than T is now.  I highly doubt we’d get anything more than that.


Like you, I also waffle on resigning Higgins.  When healthy he’s very good, no doubt.  The games missed combined with multiple other needs gives me pause.  I’ve been on the Slayton train for awhile.

[Frank Booth]

(02-15-2025, 09:49 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Have heard Slayton might be a good trade option for Tee and an End of the Giants or something for us is all.

He isn't a FA, so it isn't that. But he is younger than a lot of the WR options in FA and hasn't played with a great QB like Joe.


Some good ideas as always TLL. Those are some good cheap WR options and Boyd still knows how to get open. Josh Palmer is a big body WR.

Would love to see what Pitts could do with Burrow and Fant can block a bit unlike Gesicki and Pitts. No to Andrews, he looks washed to me and a 
choker in the biggest games.

Andrews had a bad moment. I wouldn’t call him a choker. Still a top 10 TE easily

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-15-2025, 10:02 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I used to think that way, until I heard an interview with Brian Callahan after he was hired as coach of the Titans. When asked about the direction his teams offense would take he responded with something like "You know me, I want to run the ball and establish that before anything else".  And at that very moment I reflected back over his time with the Bengals and wondered "Why didn't they run more under Callahan's offense"? The only answer can be Zac over ruled calls.

Eh, when Brian has Will Levis at QB instead of Joe Burrow I would want to run the ball more myself.

(02-15-2025, 10:27 PM)pulses Wrote: Fix that OL and we'll run more than some might think.

I think so, if we have good run blocking and the running game is really working we will see more of a trend to running the ball I am sure of it.

I know Zac and Burrow love to throw the ball, but that is also because we have always had better Receiving weapons than RB's.

Chase Brown is a talent and shown he can be a 3 down back unlike Mixon. He can pass protect. Bring back Khalil Herbert and add a RB in the Draft
and we might actually have some talented RB's that can do a variety of things.

(02-15-2025, 11:09 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Slayton has averaged 720 yards a season in his 6-year career with horrendous QBs.
He has 66 starts across 92 games played.

Slayton has been playing on just a $6 mill per year contract.
If anything, he'll be closer to 1/4th the price, but ~70% the receiver.

In reality, Slayton could be a 800-900 yard WR in Cincy.
Not Higgins's caliber, but Higgins is arguably the top WR, maybe top guy overall in FA.

I think in reality, we all want to have Higgins back.
But he's going to be pricy.
And they have traditionally been bad drafting OL and DL, having more success in FA.

So would you rather have Slayton plus an upgrade at OL or DL added in FA, or just Higgins?

Personally, I'm cool either way. I won't be one of the ones upset if Higgins departs.

Nice post Ochocincos. That is why Slayton is a thought in a trade.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-16-2025, 11:50 AM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Mark Andrews: 673 yards (12.1 avg)/11 TDs, 79.7% catch rate
Mike Gesicki: 665 yards (10.2 avg)/2 TDs, 78.3% catch rate

If Andrews is washed then I would like to add two washed TEs this offseason, please. Lol... he was better in all receiving categories than Gesicki despite not having Burrow (leading the NFL in completions, attempts, yards, and TDs) as his QB, but as a huge advantage isn't just a big WR and actually blocks.

Thanks for the stats TLL. Lamar and the Ravens target TE's much more than Joe and the Bengals though. Likely is their best TE now.

How old is Mark Andrews? He has been in the league a while now...

I just like to be able to trust my Receivers to make the big catches in the biggest games. Andrews has choked twice now in big moments.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-15-2025, 11:53 PM)NUGDUKWE Wrote:

The Bengals are on hook for the LEAST amount of money for players that aren't the QB.

In. The. Entire. League.

They can pay EVERYONE and add others. https://t.co/M8CEx9QWgt

— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) February 16, 2025

I just saw this and thought it was relevant.

This is very eye opening to say the least. If we can pay everyone and still add to the trenches that sure would be insane.

We are not used to this.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-16-2025, 04:24 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: Andrews had a bad moment. I wouldn’t call him a choker. Still a top 10 TE easily

He was a top TE years ago. More than one bad moment. He choked last year in the Playoffs too...

[puddycat]

Re: Chart above.. it's fake news. Click on the chart and you'll see there are 6 NFL teams with even less committed dollars than the Bengals. Yes the Bengals are 26 of 32 and the statement is true that they are the least committed to non-QBs, but the Bengals are not the bottom of the list for committed money. Don't mislead please.