With the Cincinnati Bengals facing a challenging season, wide receiver Tee Higgins’ future with the team is increasingly in question.
After proving himself as a reliable No. 2 receiver behind Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins has shown he has the skills to be a leading receiver elsewhere.
As he heads into free agency after this season, speculation is mounting that he could seek a new team where he could take on a No. 1 role.
Earlier this year, trade rumors swirled around the talented receiver during the offseason and again at the recent trade deadline. Yet, the Bengals opted to keep him in Cincinnati.
As ESPN’s Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler report, Higgins will be one of the most sought-after free agents in the 2025 class.
“Just entering his prime playing years, Higgins is our top free agent for the 2025 class at the moment,” Bowen wrote. “At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, he has the ability to win on the boundary or create matchups from inside alignments.
“And despite playing alongside Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati, Higgins has the makeup of a No. 1 receiver. Injuries have limited Higgins to five games this season, but he still has 29 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns.”
In recent weeks, Higgins has been sidelined with a quad injury, which has caused him to miss three consecutive games. Head coach Zac Taylor has labeled him as “day-to-day,” leaving fans hopeful for a return to help fuel Cincinnati’s playoff push.
Higgins is expected to return to the field this weekend which will undoubtedly provide the Bengals with a significant boost on offense.
When healthy, Higgins is known for his playmaking abilities and consistent contributions on the field.
The uncertainty around Higgins’ future began in the offseason, when contract extension talks between him and the Bengals reportedly stalled.
Cincinnati ultimately placed the franchise tag on him, temporarily securing him for the season but raising questions about their long-term plans.
Now, as free agency looms, many insiders believe Higgins may look for a fresh start.
“There’s little to no chance Higgins is in Cincinnati beyond 2024,” Fowler wrote. “People I’ve talked to feel pretty strongly about that, barring a major surprise.
“A second franchise tag would cost the Bengals around $26.2 million on a one-year rental. Higgins wanted out of Cincinnati last offseason, and the Bengals will likely allocate resources for a Chase contract.
“Higgins will have a strong market because of the number of receiver-needy teams and Higgins’ WR1 traits.”
With a robust free-agent market expected, several teams, including potential suitors like the Pittsburgh Steelers, may target Higgins as their primary receiver.
Over his five seasons with the Bengals, Higgins has tallied 286 receptions, 4,025 yards, and 27 touchdowns, demonstrating his value and consistency as a playmaker.
For now, Higgins’ focus is on recovering fully and rejoining the Bengals to help them fight for a playoff spot. With Cincinnati currently sitting at 4-6, they’ll need all the help they can get to turn their season around.
It’s been a bit of a bizarre season in Cincinnati. The Bengals are undoubtedly one of the most talented teams in the league. And while we’re used to them starting slow, the fact of the matter is they’ve dug themselves a major hole with six losses already.
As for Higgins, do you believe the reports that his time in Cincy is indeed coming to an end???