Reports: Bengals WR Tee Higgins requests trade

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins requested a trade from the team after being hit with the franchise tag, according to multiple reports.

Higgins was set to hit free agency when the Bengals used the tag to retain him, guaranteeing a $21.816 million salary for the 2024 season.

Per reports, Higgins grew frustrated by the lack of effort to sign him to a contract extension.

Higgins, 25, completed a four-year, $8.68 million rookie deal he signed as a 2020 second-round pick.

"Tee has done an outstanding job for us since we drafted him," coach Zac Taylor said in a statement when Higgins was tagged. "I'm glad that he'll continue to be a big part of our offense and our team."

The sides have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal.

Higgins caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts) in 2023 after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2021-22. He has 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 TDs in 58 games (53 starts).

—Field Level Media