Some believe Tee Higgins has progressed into a WR1 level of receiver in his four seasons in the NFL. However, he hasn’t been that in Cincinnati, with Ja’Marr Chase on the opposite side of the offense. Drops and injuries haven't helped. 

The Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins hoping he could find his form and form one of the premier pass-catching duos in the NFL. Yet efforts to secure a long-term deal have stalled, and Higgins requested a trade. Now he's not showing up for mandatory minicamps and hasn't signed his franchise tender, adding to the tension between the sides. 

The two-time 1,000-yard receiver could also end up somewhere else to gain an opportunity to be The Man. Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NFL contacts developed over 20 years covering the league to create his NFL future odds on which team Higgins plays for in Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Take your betting experience to the next level with our betting apps.

Tee Higgins 2024 Team Odds

Higgins told local media just two weeks before the NFL Draft that he loves Cincinnati and plans to be playing in town for the 2024 season. But just before the draft, his agent reaffirmed Higgins' request to be traded. Someone's not on the same page. 

After gaining 908 yards with six touchdowns as a rookie in 2022, Higgins caught 74 passes in both 2021 and 2022, each for just over 1,000 yards, with 6 and 7 TDs, respectively. Last season, however, he missed several games due to injury and his yards per game average dropped a whopping 23 yards from two seasons prior. His yards per reception hit a career-high. 

The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins, guaranteeing him a whopping $21.8 million for next season. Not bad for the duties of a No. 2 receiver. 

But a longer-term deal is the preferred option for Higgins and his management. Cincy may be less inclined because of the future contract situation with Ja’Marr Chase, who is in the final year of his rookie deal. If the Bengals can’t afford both in the longer term, Chase is the top priority. 

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Cincy holds the cards, and the team is in a position to “go for it” for 2024. A sign-and-trade isn’t out of the question, however, especially if the Bengals believe they can get immediate help on the offensive or defensive lines. 

There are a solid eight teams that may inquire about an immediate-impact WR, teams that can afford the $21.8 million he's due this year on the franchise tag, and sign long-term as well. All eight teams can afford him now, but the lead goes to squads in a position to win now, and aren't direct rivals with the Bengals. 

The New England Patriots have a new QB in rookie Drake Maye, but there is still no viable WR1 on the roster. The Pats could make things easier for the rookie by adding one, and with an NFL-high $44.2 million in cap space, they can make the move. 

The Las Vegas Raiders and Arizona Cardinals each have a top guy on the roster in Davante Adams and rookie Marvin Harrison Jr., respectively. But the players holding the No. 2 spots aren't scaring anyone. Higgins likely wouldn't be "The Man" on those teams, but they can afford him and they need another outside playmaker. 

The Washington Commanders treated the off-season like it was not planning on staying in the NFC East cellar. They now have their franchise QB in rookie Jayden Daniels. Their trio of WRs isn't bad and is certainly led by Terry McLaurin. But Jahan Dotson didn't take as big a leap last year as hoped, and rookie Luke McCaffrey is unproven. 

The Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars have a lot of respectable receivers, but one could argue neither has a bona fide WR1 type. Whether Higgins is that guy is TBD, but both teams could give their QBs a boost with another veteran target, and both have enough cap space to do so. 

Other teams short on cash but high on need could try and find a way, including the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers.