Mike Tomlin famously popularized the idea of “volunteers, not hostages” several years ago in explaining why many teams are more willing to move players who express a desire to leave—a sentiment to which Mike Brown’s Cincinnati Bengals clearly do not subscribe. They are harboring a couple of hostages this year after sticking with another in 2022.
Both WR Tee Higgins and DE Trey Hendrickson want the Bengals to trade them. At least in Higgins’ case, and likely in Hendrickson’s as well, they refuse to even engage in contract talks. Higgins is currently scheduled to play under the franchise tag in 2024.