The Cincinnati Bengals face a tough decision this offseason: should they extend Tee Higgins or let him walk in free agency?
Higgins, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, has developed into a star in Cincinnati. He recorded over 1,000 receiving yards in both 2021 and 2022, often performing like a WR1 despite playing alongside Ja’Marr Chase.
The Bengals’ offense has thrived with Higgins and Chase catching passes from Joe Burrow, but the challenge now is paying all three. Burrow signed his lucrative deal at the start of the 2023 season, and while Chase and Higgins have yet to be paid, their time is coming.
Bengals de facto GM Duke Tobin discussed the situation with Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer, emphasizing his desire to keep Higgins but acknowledging the complexities involved.
“It’s going to be difficult,” Tobin admitted. “We believe we have the resources, but it all depends on negotiations and whether there’s a number that works for both sides. I’ve always been clear about wanting Tee Higgins on our team, and that hasn’t changed. However, we need to align with his representation on what makes sense financially based on his experience, playing time, and production.”
Duke Tobin’s recent comments about Tee Higgins don’t sound promising
Bengals executive Duke Tobin acknowledges that the team has the resources to re-sign Tee Higgins but shifts the responsibility to Higgins and his agent, emphasizing that they must agree on a number that works for both sides. This strongly suggests the team is hoping for a hometown discount—an expectation that seems unfair given the physical toll NFL players endure each week.
That said, Bengals fans would love to see Higgins return if he chooses to do so. With both Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins on the field, Cincinnati’s offense is nearly unstoppable. However, Higgins now faces a crucial decision: prioritize maximizing his earnings while in his prime or remain in Cincinnati alongside Joe Burrow and Chase.
Burrow has been vocal about his desire to keep Higgins on the team, but ultimately, he isn’t the one making financial decisions. Another factor to consider is Higgins’ recent injury history—he has missed 10 games over the last two seasons. Additionally, committing to both Higgins and Chase could limit the Bengals’ ability to strengthen their defense, an area that clearly needs improvement this offseason.
It remains to be seen how this situation unfolds. Will the Bengals find a way to keep Higgins, or will he be playing for a new team next season?
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