Tee Higgins trade rumors: Five possible destinations for Cincinnati Bengals WR

Kansas City Chiefs

Make no mistake, the Chiefs would need to pay a significant premium, in order to pry Higgins away from a fellow legitimate Super Bowl contender in the AFC.

However, Brett Veach is one of the more aggressive general managers in the NFL, and doesn’t shy away from bold moves to add elite talent around quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs are well positioned, with $20.1 million in cap space, to be a big player in the veteran trade market during draft weekend.

Even after signing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown in free agency, the Chiefs could still use another reliable weapon to bolster a receiving corps that led the league in drops last season. Perhaps two first-round picks would move the needle as a return for Higgins.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals were a more competitive football team and far more effective offense with Kyler Murray behind center last season, and now that Murray is primed to return, general manager Monti Ossenfort needs to surround the young quarterback with weapons.

Ahead of the draft, Arizona boasts upwards of $29 million in cap space, which would be plenty to accommodate an extension for Higgins.

Arizona could immediately vault into the conversation as a top challenger to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West, if the Cardinals chose Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr. with the No. 4 overall pick and also pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade to acquire Higgins. For Cincinnati, trading Higgins to the Cardinals would also accomplish keeping the star receiver out of the AFC.

Buffalo Bills

Similarly to the Chiefs, Buffalo would need to outbid Higgins’ other suitors by a wide margin to convince Cincinnati to send Higgins to Western New York, since he’s an ideal fit for Josh Allen’s propensity for pushing the ball deep in the vertical passing game.

However, Brandon Beane has added draft capital at his disposal after trading Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans, and a colossal hole to fill at receiver. It would take some cap maneuvering on Beane’s part, since Buffalo only has $2.8 million in cap space this season, but multiple first-rounders could be worth adding a receiver as talented as Higgins to prop open Buffalo’s suddenly closing Super Bowl window.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers made a significant commitment to improving the offense this offseason by acquiring both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but, now must get their veteran quarterbacks some weapons.

On the surface, it would seem unlikely that the Bengals would trade Higgins into the division, but, if Pittsburgh can pull it off, a duo of George Pickens and Higgins would immediately become one of the most explosive in the league.

Chicago Bears

The Bears are as well positioned as any team at this stage of the offseason to make a bold move.

General manager Ryan Poles might now get to debate whether Rome Odunze, an edge rusher, or offensive tackle would provide more upside — even though each would be a way more affordable use of cap space than trading the No. 9 overall selection for Higgins would be.

Chicago has $22.8 million in cap space, and Higgins alongside D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen would give Caleb Williams about the softest landing imaginable to hasten his development and push the Bears up the NFC North hierarchy immediately.