Should Bengals Target Deebo Samuel if They Can’t Keep Tee Higgins?

It appears the versatile wide receiver is on his way out of San Francisco.

The Cincinnati Bengals are facing one of the most crucial offseasons in their history, with the chance to re-sign or extend Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson, while also possibly adding key free agents before the draft. However, whether or not they will actually make those moves remains uncertain.

Chase is clearly their main focus, but it’s not a given that Higgins will suit up for the Bengals again, regardless of his desire to remain. Should that scenario occur, one potential replacement for Higgins could be Deebo Samuel.

Samuel recently expressed his wish to be traded from the 49ers, but The Athletic’s Matt Barrows predicts that San Francisco will instead release him. With reports claiming that Samuel is out of shape and coming off a lackluster season, a strong trade market for the 29-year-old seems unlikely. Thus, his release seems to be the more probable outcome.

While Samuel would be a step back compared to Higgins, who is three years younger and has 12 more career receiving touchdowns and nearly as many yards, Samuel remains a threat, both as a wide receiver and a playmaker out of the backfield.

Additionally, with Ja’Marr Chase drawing so much defensive attention on the opposite side, Joe Burrow doesn’t necessarily need another elite wide receiver. Instead, he requires someone who can exploit single coverage and make plays when needed. Samuel fits that mold, and if his price tag is significantly lower than Higgins’, it would allow the Bengals to target other free agents more effectively.

From 2019 to the 2025 season, Samuel has recorded 334 receptions for 4,792 yards and 22 touchdowns, plus 202 carries for 1,143 yards and 20 touchdowns. Higgins has accumulated 330 catches, 4,595 yards, and 34 touchdowns in one fewer season.

While Samuel may not impact the Bengals’ offense in the same way Higgins does, if the team is unable or unwilling to re-sign him, Samuel could serve as a solid, cost-effective alternative.

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