Congratulations are in order for the new Titans coach, according to many Bengals fans. However, along with the celebratory sentients, there’s a collective plea among Bengals supporters for the Titans to scout their own talent and not poach players from Cincinnati.
One player who could potentially find a new home is wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is set to enter free agency after failing to secure a long-term deal with the Bengals during the past offseason. While the Bengals have the option to use the franchise tag on Higgins, guaranteeing his presence in Cincinnati for one more season, it’s not a certainty.
If Higgins doesn’t receive the franchise tag, he becomes a free agent in 2023, and the Titans emerge as a plausible destination. In Tennessee, he could step into the role of the team’s primary wide receiver, escaping the shadow of Ja’Marr Chase.
Drawing a parallel to Marvin Jones seeking to break free from AJ Green’s shadow, Higgins may similarly seek a chance to shine independently. The prospect of being the Titans’ top wideout and shedding the secondary role behind Chase could be an appealing proposition for him.
There’s also a hypothetical scenario where the Bengals decide to tag Higgins and then explore a trade. Drawing a historical parallel, when former Bengals assistant coach Hue Jackson orchestrated the trade for Carson Palmer, sending him to the Raiders for two first-round picks, it marked a significant move. While it’s not implied that Higgins is forcing an exit or that a similar blockbuster trade is in the cards, the idea of Callahan facilitating an arrangement favorable to the Bengals is floated, reminiscent of Jackson’s past dealings.
