Tee Higgins

The Buffalo Bills are not interested in a pair of wide receivers on the trade block, general manager Brandon Beane said, per The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia.

"The cap is the cap," Beane said. "There's no trade coming. I know everyone wants to link us to every trade in the league."

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins have both been mentioned frequently in trade rumors, and the Bills could use some help at the position, but Beane isn't interested in a trade given Buffalo's salary cap situation.

There was speculation that San Francisco would move on from Samuel this offseason, and the 49ers drafting wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round added to that buzz.

Many expected a trade sometime during the draft for San Francisco to potentially move up, but after not trading Samuel on Day 1, general manager John Lynch "didn't entertain" trade talks on Day 2.

"We didn't entertain any of that today," Lynch told reporters. "We're happy with our wide receiver group. Actually, more than happy. We're thrilled with it. And thrilled to add Ricky to it to make it stronger."

While the 49ers didn't budge during the draft, they could still look to move Samuel before the season begins. If they choose not to, they will have a loaded wide receiver room next season.

A Higgins trade has been in the making for a while now. The Bengals used a franchise tag on him, prompting a trade request from the fourth-year player. While Samuel could remain with the 49ers, it seems inevitable Higgins will be on his way out of Cincinnati at one point or another.

The Bills are desperate for wide receivers after losing Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, but they aided their needs by drafting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman in the second round.

Buffalo's wide receiver room could still use some work, but landing Coleman is a step in the right direction.

As the Buffalo Bills wait to make their first pick in the 2024 NFL draft until the second round begins on Friday night, they could use their extra time to explore the trade market for one of several wide receivers who might be available.

Per ESPN's Matt Miller, one team scout suggested the Bills could use Friday to try working out a deal for Tee Higgins, Deebo Samuel or Brandon Aiyuk.

All three players could be available, though the extent to which their current teams are exploring deals appears to vary.

Higgins requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals last month after receiving the franchise tag. The 25-year-old has said he anticipates remaining with the team in 2024.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Bengals and Higgins haven't engaged in talks about a long-term contract in more than one year.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported the San Francisco 49ers were having trade conversations with teams, including one picking in the top 10 of the first round, with Aiyuk or Samuel mentioned as potential trade candidates.

Even though no trade happened in the first round, based on the draft results from Thursday, it does seem more likely that one of the 49ers' players will get traded instead of Higgins.

The 49ers used their first-round pick at No. 31 overall to select Florida wideout Ricky Pearsall. The Bengals' pick at No. 18 was Georgia tackle Amarius Mims.

If San Francisco's previously reported asking price of a first-round pick for Aiyuk is still what the team is seeking, that would seem to make Samuel the odd man out if a trade is going to happen.

That would also be the right decision from a practical standpoint. Samuel is two years older than Aiyuk and is prone to injuries. The South Carolina alum has missed 15 games over the past four seasons.

Aiyuk is angling for a new contract as he is set to enter the final season of his rookie deal. Samuel is signed through 2025 with a $20.97 million base salary next season.

Given the number of quality receivers still available, the Bengals could opt to select one of them if they want to trade Higgins.

The Bills are looming over everything in the receiver market. They opted not to make a pick in the first round by trading down twice, giving them the first pick of the second round (No. 33 overall) and a total of three selections on day two.

Buffalo's receiver depth chart currently features Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, Justin Shorter, Mack Hollins, KJ Hamler and Andy Isabella.

It feels almost certain the Bills will end Friday with at least one new wideout on their roster. It's just not clear if that player will come via trade or the draft.

Amid a contract dispute, the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly have "no plans" to trade wide receiver Tee Higgins, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Higgins was set to hit free agency this offseason, but the team franchised him, keeping him with the Bengals in the 2024 season. He will make $21.816 million this year.

Higgins reportedly requested a trade in March after the team franchise tagged him, but he has seemed to turn a corner, saying that he anticipates being back in Cincinnati this season.

After a booming start to his NFL career, Higgins had just 656 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season, limited to 12 games with injuries. He recorded back-to-back seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022, and he's looking to get back to that form in 2024.

Higgins was looking for a big payday this offseason, whether that be with the Bengals or another team, but the franchise tag means he'll have to wait another season for a new contract. Per Spotrac, Higgins has a market value of $18.6 million a year, and a strong showing in 2024 could help him get that number up before he enters free agency next offseason.

The Bengals struggled last season, going 9-8 and missing the playoffs a year after reaching the AFC Championship. They were without star quarterback Joe Burrow for much of the year as he was limited to just 10 games, but if he is able to stay healthy, Cincinnati should find more success in 2024.

Keeping Higgins alongside star receiver Ja'Marr Chase means Burrow will have two outstanding talents to throw to, and that offensive group could help the Bengals get back to the Super Bowl this year.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who reportedly issued a trade request after being franchise-tagged, told reporters he anticipates being back with the team in 2024.

"I do anticipate it," Higgins said when asked if he felt he'd be back in 2024. "I've grown a love for Cincy that I didn't think I would, but I'm looking forward to it."

Higgins made the remarks at a youth football camp in Loveland, Ohio, on Sunday, per Fletcher Keel of WLWT 5.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler noted Sunday that the Bengals have made it clear they do not plan on trading the wideout:

Higgins' tag is worth $21.8 million fully guaranteed. He can still avoid the tag by signing a long-term extension with the Bengals by July 15. Failing that, Higgins will stick with the Bengals this season.

Higgins, a 2020 second-round pick out of Clemson, has caught 257 passes for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in his first four seasons. He's posted a 31/457/3 stat line in seven playoff games.

Rib and hamstring ailments held Higgins to just 12 games in 2023, and he finished with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five scores.

Still, Higgins has been one of the best WR2s in football at his best, to the point where he could easily be a No. 1 wideout elsewhere.

If he stays healthy and maintains his high level of production, then Higgins will strike it rich when his tag expires. Whether it's with Cincinnati or elsewhere remains to be seen.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have held "internal discussions" regarding a trade involving Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, according to Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh.

Fillipponi noted that the Steelers "love" Higgins as a player although they have "questions about acquisition cost and his next contract cost."

Cincinnati franchise tagged the receiver on Feb. 23, with ESPN's Matt Miller reporting on Thursday that the two sides have not started conversations about a potential long-term contract.

Higgins requested a trade in March due to the lack of a long-term deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. While the Bengals aren't required to work out a trade, they would risk watching him leave as a free agent without any return in the 2025 offseason after playing on the franchise tag.

There are some concerns about a potential trade between the two teams, as they've developed into fierce AFC North rivals throughout the past decade. The Bengals would likely be hesitant to trade a standout wide receiver such as Higgins to an opponent that they would need to face twice each season.

The Steelers could use another wideout to pair alongside former second-round pick George Pickens, especially after they traded veteran Diontae Johnson to the Carolina Panthers on March 12.

Pittsburgh has revamped its offense during the offseason, signing nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson as a free agent before trading for Chicago Bears signal-caller Justin Fields as his backup.

While Higgins fits well with the team on paper, Steelers general manager Omar Khan will likely take his availability into account during a potential pursuit. He recorded a career-low 656 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, playing in only 12 games due to a hamstring issue.

Still, the 25-year-old has surpassed 1,000 yards in two of his four NFL seasons and already has seven playoff games under his belt. If a trade is agreed upon, the Steelers would own one of the AFC's most imposing offenses entering training camp.