Tee Higgins (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Tee Higgins has been widely mentioned as a potential trade candidate over the past month, but at this point, it’s looking like he’ll open the 2024 season with the only NFL team he’s ever known.

Last month, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Tee Higgins requested a trade from the Bengals, two weeks after they placed the franchise tag on him. No long-term deal has been reached, so it appears as though Cincinnati is prepared for the likelihood of losing him for nothing in 2025 free agency.

Of course, it just takes one good trade offer for the Bengals to trade Higgins. And though plenty of clubs make sense for the 2020 second-round pick, there’s one AFC team that should be extra motivated to swing a deal for Higgins.

That would be Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers, who desperately need WR help after parting ways with Mike Williams (released and signed with the New York Jets) and Keenan Allen (traded to the Chicago Bears).

The Chargers don’t have much star power on offense to help quarterback Justin Herbert. Higgins has put up excellent numbers while playing second-fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati, but the former would unquestionably become Herbert’s top guy in La La Land.

What The Chargers Should Offer Bengals For Tee Higgins

Los Angeles will have to offer an early-round pick to get Higgins, but the No. 5 pick is way too rich.

The Chargers should offer the No. 37 pick in this year’s draft plus a 2025 fourth-round pick to the Bengals for Higgins. Having paid a hefty price for the big-bodied receiver, the Bolts should waste no time handing Higgins a lucrative contract extension to secure him as their long-term No. 1 receiver.

For Cincinnati, the trade would put them in good position to take a top pass-catcher in a 2024 draft class that is loaded with quality wide receivers. With the No. 18, 37 and 49 picks, the Bengals would be in ideal position to get another stud playmaker or two for Joe Burrow.