Carolina Panthers have a perfect opportunity to trade for Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals Wide receiver Tee Higgins isn't out of the realm of possibility for the Carolina Panthers. After being franchise-tagged in February, Higgins has requested a trade from the franchise, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday.  According to reports, Higgins loves Cincinnati and wants to stay with them but is disappointed no discussions of a […]

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Dec 31, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) gets his hand on a deep pass in the third quarter during a Week 17 NFL football game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
Image via Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals Wide receiver Tee Higgins isn't out of the realm of possibility for the Carolina Panthers.

After being franchise-tagged in February, Higgins has requested a trade from the franchise, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported Monday

According to reports, Higgins loves Cincinnati and wants to stay with them but is disappointed no discussions of a long-term contract extension since March 2023. 

It was believed that the Panthers were out of the Higgins market after he was franchise-tagged. However, with the recent trade request, Carolina has a can't-miss opportunity ahead of it. 

The Panthers are searching for a clear No. 1 wide receiver. That is something Higgins couldn't be in Cincinnati with Ja'Marr Chase still in the building. 

The question becomes: What is the price Cincinnati would ask to trade Higgins? 

Draft compensation would most likely take precedence over any returning player in a deal. Carolina doesn't have a first-round pick to offer, but a package around the 2024 second-round pick and a future second or third-round pick could make a deal realistic. 

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler linked the Panthers as a perfect fit for Higgins in a pre-free agency notebook. 

With Higgins now requesting a trade, Carolina can't miss out on trading for a receiver with true No. 1 potential.