Bengals director of player personnel's comments suggest team could be outbid on WR Tee Higgins

Wide receiver Tee Higgins will be one of the most sought-after players during 2024 free agency, perhaps no more so than in Cincinnati.

Duke Tobin, the Bengals director of player personnel, discussed Higgins' pending free agency at the Senior Bowl. While he expressed a desire to re-sign the four-year wideout to a long-term deal, Tobin was realistic about the receiver's market.

"Everyone on our team wants Tee Higgins back. Again, there's one pie and how big of a slice that takes and what else we can't do because of it, we'll have to determine and we'll see," Tobin said on Tuesday at the Reese's Senior Bowl.

Higgins appeared in 11 games this season and was third on the team with 656 receiving yards. Since being drafted in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft, Higgins ranks in the top 20 among wide receivers in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns. (h/t StatHead)

His future with the Bengals was questioned last offseason with him entering the final year of his rookie deal. Cincinnati could have made him available via trade, which would have allowed the organization to gain assets instead of potentially losing Higgins and receiving nothing in return.

However, Tobin said he never entertained that idea.

"He was a guy that we drafted for that reason, to be a contributor for us... Trading a high-level player that's under contract just because the future might demand it, that's never really on mind," said Tobin.

Fortunately for Cincinnati, the 2024 NFL Draft is loaded with wide receivers if it's outbid by another team for Higgins.

Pro Football Focus has 12 receivers ranked in the top 50 of its big board. Tankathon has 17 receivers selected in the draft's first three rounds, including Cincinnati drafting Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round (80th overall).

The Bengals will have plenty of opportunities to replace Higgins, even if they wish they don't have to.