Bengals Stars Want Out of Cincinnati

Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson and wide receiver Tee Higgins want out of Cincy.

News of Higgins' trade request first appeared in March. For a while, Higgins answered that he looked forward to playing in Cincinnati next season. However, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared the latest update on Wednesday, noting that Higgins intends to get out of Cincinnati. 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 12: L-R Ja'Marr Chase #1, Joe Burrow #9 and Tee Higgins #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals sit in the front for the Cincinnati Bengals team photo at UCLA's Drake Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The Bengals will play against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on February 13. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The news is a complete bummer for Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor's Bengals offense. Higgins made a great complementary receiver to top Bengals wideout Ja'Marr Chase, who's set to receive a massive contract extension for his WR1 production.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 18: Tee Higgins #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a touchdown pass during the third quarter in the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

Over the past three seasons, Higgins — playing No. 2 — tallied 2,776 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. Higgins' name was hot during mid-season trade rumors. Higgins drew plenty of interest as teams figured that Cincy could not pay all their stars.

Last offseason, the Bengals signed franchise QB Joe Burrow to a five-year, $275 million deal. The Bengals picked up Ja'Marr Chase's fifth-year option on Wednesday. Chase is expected to make more than $20 million per year with his new deal.

On the eve of the NFL Draft, suitors will definitely be giving Bengals general manager Duke Tobin a call. 

Meanwhile, Hendrickson went public with his request on Wednesday, one day before the NFL Draft. The DE has one year left on his contract, due $15 million by the Bengals. Hendrickson, 29, had a monster season in 2023, recording 17.5 sacks and 43 tackles. Now he's holding out hope that the Bengals can extend him for a larger deal. Or join a team that will.

Possible suitors for Hendrickson include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams.

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 07: Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) reacts during the game against the Cleveland Browns and the Cincinnati Bengals on January 7, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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