Tee Higgins

Although Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins can become a free agent at the end of the 2024 season, quarterback Joe Burrow believes the organization will find a way to re-sign him.

According to ESPN's Ben Baby, Burrow said the following about Higgins' situation: "Those discussions are ongoing. I'm confident that I think we're going to do what it takes to bring Tee back."

Burrow also suggested that he would get involved in an effort to facilitate a new deal between the two sides, saying: "I know that I'm going to do what it takes to get him back and so is he. We've had those talks. Those are going to be offseason discussions. But I think we're excited about that opportunity."

Higgins, 25, has spent his entire five-year NFL career in Cincinnati, but he could potentially be poised to cash in elsewhere during the offseason.

The 2020 second-round draft pick out of Clemson was prevented from hitting free agency last offseason due to the franchise tag, and although he did not initially sign his franchise tender, he ultimately decided to do so when it became clear no trade would materialize.

Unfortunately for Higgins, he is in the midst of his second consecutive injury-riddled season, having missed a total of 10 games over the past two campaigns.

Over his first three NFL seasons, Higgins had two 1,000-yard years, and he averaged about 72 catches for 1,009 yards, and over six touchdowns per season.

However, after missing five games last season, he put up career lows with 42 grabs for 656 yards and five scores.

Higgins is in a similar boat this season, having missed another five games, although he is pacing toward a better statistical campaign with 45 receptions for 581 yards and five touchdowns through eight games.

Bengals No. 1 wideout Ja'Marr Chase gets most of the glory since he leads the NFL with 93 receptions for 1,319 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, but Higgins' importance to the team cannot be overstated.

The Bengals are 4-4 when Higgins plays this season, but in the five games he has missed, they are just 1-4.

Higgins helps open things up for Chase and gives Burrow another big-time weapon when opposing defenses key on Chase, meaning he often contributes to winning football even when he isn't putting up big numbers.

That was on full display during Monday night's 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys when Higgins had just two catches for 23 yards, while Chase went off for 14 grabs, 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle standing between Higgins and a new deal with the Bengals, however, is Chase's need and desire for a new contract.

As of now, Chase is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season, and he already made it clear this past offseason that he wants a new deal, as he "held in" throughout much of training camp.

Given the massive numbers Chase has put up this year, he is almost certainly in line to become the highest-paid wideout in NFL history.

The Bengals would likely have to make Higgins one of the highest-paid receivers in the league in order to keep him as well, and it is unclear if they would be willing to do so.

Given their 5-8 record, it is clear that the Bengals have many other needs they have to address, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Additionally, Chad Graff of The Athletic reported this week that the New England Patriots will be "all in" on Higgins and intend to "offer him the moon."

While the Bengals can provide Higgins with a better situation, they may not be able to compete with a team like the Patriots if they are willing to pay him like a top-10 receiver.

The New England Patriots are prepared to "offer the moon" to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins ahead of his free agency.

"The Patriots are going to be all in on Tee Higgins," Chad Graff of The Athletic said. "They've shown an interest in established receivers, and Higgins is the best free agent. I expect them to offer him the moon. The question is whether he says yes or no."

Despite playing in just seven games this season due to various injuries, Higgins has recorded 558 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 79.7 yards per game.

The Patriots are in desperate need of improvement in their receiving game. They rank last in the league in passing yards per game, averaging just 171.5 and are second to last in receiving touchdowns with only 13.

New England's leading receiver is tight end Hunter Henry, who has 610 yards this season. Second-string TE Austin Hooper leads the team in receiving touchdowns with three. Its leading receiver DeMario Douglas has recorded 497 yards this season with one touchdown, ranking 61st in the league in total yards.

Given the expected free-agent interest for Higgins, it would be no surprise if he left given his past with the Bengals. He requested a trade from Cincinnati before the start of the season, frustrated by the lack of discussions about a long-term contract extension, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

With all the buzz and rumors surrounding Higgins' future, Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters went straight to the source to hear it directly from him.

"He's on a mission," Walters said, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. "This is a big year for him, but he's not letting that pressure and that whatever else get to him. He seems like he's having fun. He's playing with a lot of peace."

With Higgins' future in Cincinnati uncertain, the 4-8 Bengals are on the brink of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year, currently sitting third in the AFC North Division.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made an interesting comparison when describing Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins.

Tomlin compared Higgins to NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal after the Steelers played aggressively against him on Sunday.

"When you're playing Shaq, we're going to use our fouls," he said, per SteelersDepot's Alex Kozora.

The comparison to O'Neal is quite the compliment as the Hall of Famer was arguably the most dominant basketball player of all time. Higgins hasn't had quite the same career as O'Neal, but being in the same sentence as him is a good sign.

The Steelers clearly came into Sunday's game with a plan to keep the ball out of Higgins' hands even if it meant committing penalties. Pittsburgh cornerback Joey Porter was called for six penalties on Sunday, which was the most by an NFL cornerback since 2022.

The plan was somewhat successful as he logged just five receptions on 10 targets for 69 yards, his fewest since Week 4. Still, Higgins found the end zone once and the Bengals put up 38 points.

Cincinnati's high-powered offense wasn't enough to get past the Steelers, though, as Russell Wilson threw for 414 yards and three touchdowns as Pittsburgh piled on 44 points.

The Cincinnati Bengals have two elite wide receivers who will be looking to get paid this offseason, but only one of them will likely get the deal they want from their current team.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the "feeling" in NFL circles right now is the Bengals will allow Higgins to leave as a free agent to allocate financial resources for a Ja'Marr Chase extension.

The Bengals haven't exactly hidden the fact they don't plan to keep both of their star receivers on the roster for the long-term. Higgins, who is currently playing on the franchise tag, has been extension eligible since after the 2022 season.

After seeking a trade last offseason when the Bengals placed the franchise tag on him, Higgins rescinded his request and decided to play on the one-year tender.

"I had time to reflect and think. I had long talks with my agent. A lot of back and forth about what I wanted to do," Higgins said of his decision. "I just made the decision to sign the tag. At the end of the day, I just wanted to come out here and try to win a Super Bowl. I'm happy with the decision I made. I'm here for the Bengals for the 2024 season. I'm ready to get it done and get with my guys."

Bengals ownership hasn't historically been open to paying for multiple top-tier players, to say nothing of the difficulty in a salary cap league of keeping two receivers who could realistically get deals worth at least $30 million annually.

Trey Hendrickson, who also asked for a trade early in the offseason due to a contract dispute, is only signed through 2025. His value has only increased this season since he has been the only viable pass-rusher the Bengals have right now.

Chase had extension talks with the Bengals during the offseason, but the two sides were unable to come to terms.

Per James Rapien of SI.com, the Bengals and Chase came close to an agreement on a four-year, $140 million pact with $90 million guaranteed, which included a $30 million signing bonus.

Talks fell apart over when the guaranteed money would kick in because the Bengals wanted to push it further down the line, which offered Chase no protection in the event of a major injury.

The top of the market for wide receivers now starts at $30 million. Justin Jefferson is the highest-paid wideout at $35 million per season on his deal with the Minnesota Vikings.

Cincinnati does have Joe Burrow locked in to a long-term deal when he signed a five-year, $275 million extension in September 2023.

Higgins' exact value is difficult to pin down because he has missed 10 games since the start of the 2023 season due to injuries, but his performance when he plays is undeniable.

The 25-year-old is averaging a career-high 81.5 yards per game this season. He had a season-high 148 yards and a touchdown on nine catches in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

There are plenty of receiver-needy teams that will be happy to pay Higgins this offseason when he is expected to become a free agent.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins is reportedly considered a huge long shot to re-sign with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency during the offseason.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, NFL sources believe there is "little to no chance" Higgins will be with the Bengals in 2025.

Higgins is playing under the franchise tag this year, but franchising him again would cost $26.2 million, and Fowler noted it is likely the Bengals will instead use that money to sign No. 1 wideout Ja'Marr Chase to an extension.

This past offseason, Higgins did not immediately sign his franchise tender, instead requesting a trade in hopes of landing with a team that would be willing to sign him to an extension.

However, when no deal came to fruition, Higgins signed the franchise tender in July and agreed to play under the tag in 2024 before having the opportunity to hit free agency in 2025.

Over his first three NFL seasons after the Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, Higgins built up a strong rapport with quarterback Joe Burrow and put up strong numbers.

He delivered two 1,000-yard seasons during that stretch and averaged 72 receptions for 1,009 yards and a shade over six touchdowns per year.

Injuries started to take a toll on Higgins last season, though, as he missed five games and was limited in a couple of others, leading to a career-worst stat line of 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns.

It has been more of the same for the 25-year-old receiver in 2024 as well with him missing half of the Bengals 10 games due to hamstring and quad ailments.

Higgins has been highly productive when on the field, recording 29 grabs for 341 yards and three scores, but his lack of availability has undoubtedly contributed to the Bengals' disappointing 4-6 start.

Chase, who held out during training camp before returning to practice shortly before the start of the regular season, has benefited from Higgins' absence to the tune of a league-leading 66 receptions, 981 yards and 10 touchdowns.

That figures to help him land the mega contract extension he has been seeking, but it will also make it difficult for the Bengals to justify re-signing Higgins.

Higgins' durability issues may make it a bit easier for the Bengals to let go of him, as there will be significant risk involved with giving him a high-dollar contract.

Even so, Higgins figures to land one in free agency since he is shaping up to be the clear best wideout available, has a history of success and will still only be 26 by the time the offseason rolls around.

Assuming that happens, the Bengals will have an obvious hole across from Chase that they'll either have to fill in the draft or from within in the form of Andrei Iosivas or 2024 third-round pick Jermaine Burton.

Despite a poor start to the season, the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly aren't going to move wide receiver Tee Higgins prior to Tuesday's NFL trade deadline.

Higgins can become a free agent at the end of the season, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the Bengals have a "strong belief" in their team and want to make a run this season amid a 3-5 start.

Russini added that the Bengals are looking to make a move on defense prior to the deadline, though, with cornerback and defensive line being their main targets.

Higgins was the subject of trade rumors entering the 2024 season due to his desire to land a long-term contract, but he ultimately agreed to sign his franchise tender and play out the year with the Bengals before hitting free agency.

The 25-year-old wideout's importance to the Bengals has been quite obvious this season, as Cincinnati is 3-2 when he plays and 0-3 when he doesn't. That included a 37-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles last week, which was a game Higgins missed due to a quad injury.

Higgins is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders as well, which is one the Bengals can ill afford to lose.

In the five games Higgins has played this season, he has 29 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns, which is in line with what he did over his first three seasons.

As one of quarterback Joe Burrow's favorite targets, Higgins averaged 72 catches for 1,009 yards and six touchdowns over his first three campaigns, but injuries limited him to 12 games last season, and they have continued to be an issue in 2024.

The Bengals are a team that is built to win now, though, and given Higgins' importance to their success, trading him would essentially mean waving the white flag on the season, which is something they aren't likely to do.

If the Bengals instead decide to add and make a run at the playoffs, defense is the most obvious area that needs to be improved.

Cincinnati 24th in the NFL in total defense and 23rd in scoring defense this season, which is a carry over from 2023 when they ranked 31st in total defense and 21st in scoring defense.

The Bengals' most successful seasons during Zac Taylor's tenure as head coach came in 2021 and 2022 when they reached the Super Bowl and then the AFC Championship Game, and the defense was a big reason why.

Cincinnati was a middle-of-the-pack defense in 2021, ranking 18th in total defense and 17th in scoring defense, and even better the next season, ranking 16th in total defense and sixth in scoring defense.

Lou Anarumo has been the Bengals' defensive coordinator throughout Taylor's tenure, but if that unit does not improve significantly over the course of the rest of the season, his job could conceivably be in jeopardy.

Cincinnati is 21st in the NFL against the pass this season and a poor pass-rush may be the biggest reason why, as the Bengals are only 29th in sacks with 12.

Trey Hendrickson has seven of those sacks, so bringing in someone who can complement him may be the Bengals' biggest key to turning things around and making a playoff run.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will be inactive for Sunday's home game against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Higgins has totaled 29 catches for 341 yards and three touchdowns in five games this season. Andrei Iosivas, who has been serving as the Bengals' WR3 behind Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, will see an increased workload with Higgins out.

When available, Higgins has been among Burrow's top targets. He has been particularly effective in his last three games for the Bengals as he finished each contest with more than 75 receiving yards.

Higgins hit the Bengals' injury report for the first time on Friday, when he was listed as limited in practice and questionable for Sunday's game with the quad injury.

His potential absence would be a significant blow to a Bengals team that is set to face one of the best pass defenses in the league. Without their top wideout, the Bengals could put more pressure on running backs Chase Brown and Zack Moss to lead Cincinnati's offense on the ground.

Higgins' latest designation continues the wideout's history of muscle injuries. The wideout previously missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury, which he suffered in a Sept. 5 practice ahead of the Bengals' season opener. He also suffered multiple hamstring injuries that sidelined him for four total games last season.

The Bengals at least got good injury news as tackle Orlando Brown and safety Geno Stone came off the injury report ahead of Sunday's game, and after losing their first three games of the season are looking to continue turning around their playoff chances. Without Higgins, Cincinnati may need big games from Chase and Moss in order to claim a third straight victory on Sunday.