Tee Higgins’ Stellar Season: A Bengals Farewell in the Making?
It’s been a rollercoaster of a year for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, both on and off the field. From trade rumors to injury speculation, Higgins has faced it all with a calm determination that’s now translating into one of the best seasons of his career. But with free agency looming in 2025 and the Bengals’ financial priorities seemingly elsewhere, could this be the final chapter of Higgins’ time in Cincinnati?
The Offseason Drama: Trade Rumors and Franchise Tag
Let’s rewind to the offseason. Bengals wide receivers coach Troy Walters had been hearing the buzz—headlines speculating that Higgins might hold out or even force a trade after being franchise-tagged. Walters decided to go straight to the source, picking up the phone to call Higgins. At the time, Higgins was on a golf course in Miami, lining up a putt. The two had a candid conversation, and Higgins assured Walters that if a long-term deal couldn’t be reached, he’d accept the one-year franchise tag and focus on having the best season possible.
“I reached out to him and wanted to know the truth,” Walters told ESPN in October. Higgins’ response? No drama, no holdouts—just football. And so far, he’s delivered on that promise.
Higgins’ Career Year Amid Bengals’ Struggles
Despite the Bengals’ disappointing 4-8 record, Higgins is putting up career-best numbers. He’s averaging 79.7 receiving yards per game, a personal high, and has already racked up five touchdowns—just two shy of his career-best mark. He’s also on a hot streak, catching a touchdown pass in each of his last three games. Next up? A Monday night showdown against the Dallas Cowboys (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN).
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Higgins has missed five games this season due to soft tissue injuries, sparking unfounded rumors that he was faking injuries to protest his contract situation. The criticism didn’t sit well with Higgins, who’s expected to be one of the top free agents in 2025.
“I just don’t understand why fans think I’m faking an injury,” Higgins told ESPN earlier this season. “It doesn’t make sense to me.”
Injuries and the Quest for Answers
The soft-tissue injuries have been a source of frustration for Higgins, who plans to investigate their root cause this offseason. He’s taking a page out of Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson’s playbook, who conducted a similar study to address his own hamstring issues.
Higgins’ injury woes haven’t stopped him from being a key contributor when he’s on the field. In a Week 6 win against the Giants, he caught all seven of his targets for 77 yards. The following week, he led the team with 82 receiving yards and scored the game-winning touchdown in a 21-14 victory over the Browns.
The Financial Reality: Can the Bengals Afford Higgins?
Here’s where things get tricky. The Bengals have already locked in quarterback Joe Burrow with a $275 million contract extension, and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is eyeing a deal that could make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. That leaves little room for Higgins, who was franchise-tagged for $21.8 million this season.
Higgins is fourth among members of the 2020 draft class with 3,684 receiving yards. The other top receivers from that class—Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, and Michael Pittman Jr.—all secured lucrative extensions before Week 1 of this season. Higgins, however, remains in limbo.
“Obviously I had to try,” Higgins said of his offseason trade request. “Who am I not to try?”
Higgins’ Mindset: Focused and Determined
Despite the uncertainty, Higgins has maintained a positive attitude. Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher praised Higgins’ dependability, pointing to his clutch performances during the team’s 2021 Super Bowl run. “I don’t think we get there without Tee,” Pitcher said. “We have total trust in him. It’s his approach. It’s his demeanor in big moments.”
Higgins credits his improved mindset to a book recommended by Walters, Experiencing God. The book has helped him approach each day with a renewed sense of purpose. “It’s still making me want to wake up every day in a good mood, ready to come to work,” Higgins said. “It’s a good feeling, bro.”
What’s Next for Higgins?
As the season winds down, Higgins knows what’s at stake. His catch rate has improved from 55.6% last season to 64.2% this year, and his drop rate has decreased from 5.9% to 4.5%. He’s proving his value on the field, even as questions about his future with the Bengals linger.
“I ain’t going to say I’m trying to have a perfect season to get a big contract in the future,” Higgins said. “I’m here to help my team win. And the rest will take care of itself.”
Whether that future includes the Bengals remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: Tee Higgins is making the most of his moment, and the NFL is taking notice.
Originally Written by: Ben Baby
