Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins should command a massive payday on the open market, and his latest move suggests he’s preparing for a major raise. A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Clemson product joined fellow 2020 selection Joe Burrow and spent the past four seasons establishing himself as one of the league’s more reliable perimeter receivers. As a rookie, Higgins recorded an impressive 67 receptions for 908 yards and six touchdowns as the top option in Cincinnati’s passing attack.
The Bengals selected superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in 2021 and the two formed one of the best receiver duos of the past three seasons. While Higgins has struggled to stay on the field, he’s been a fantastic downfield threat when healthy and, playing in his age-25 season, should have plenty of juice left in his tank. After years of failing to reach a long-term deal, Tee Higgins recently fired his agent ahead of his impending free agency.
Only time will tell what this means for Higgins’ long-term future. Currently playing on the franchise tag, the wide receiver is likely frustrated with his inability to secure a long-term deal and should find an agent to secure the highest paycheck. Joe Burrow wants Tee Higgins to return, but can the team afford to hand out massive contracts to Higgins, Chase, and Burrow? Higgins will probably leave, and the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Chargers should lead the bidding war for his services.
Tee Higgins Fires Agent Ahead of Impending Free Agency
The first year of the New England Patriots rebuild was all about finding a franchise quarterback, and they have one in first-round pick Drake Maye. The UNC product hit the ground running, providing high-level play despite an atrocious cast of wide receivers and an even worse offensive line. Maye will be the face of the franchise for years to come, and now they must surround him with adequate talent.
The good news is that they have the financial resources to do that. Currently, the Patriots are projected to have a league-best $132.5 million in 2025 salary cap space, so they should be able to sign Tee Higgins and have plenty left over to fortify their offensive line. Players didn’t want to sign with New England last year, but Maye’s presence should make the organization more attractive to impending free agents. If Maye looks this good as a rookie with no real offensive weapons, just imagine what he can do with a legitimate playmaker like Higgins and an adequate starting offensive line.
Other Suitors
The Kansas City Chiefs quest to replace Tyreek Hill has yet to work out. While the team currently sits with an impressive 12-1 record, the team owes most of their fortune to their 10-0 record in one-score games. The Chiefs offense has not been its usual dominant self, largely due to a lack of weapons. Travis Kelce is slowing down and someone must step up in this passing attack. Higgins can be the ideal perimeter receiver for this offense, and his vertical abilities combined with the anticipated return of Rashee Rice should make the 2025 Chiefs one of the most dangerous offenses in football.
The Los Angeles Chargers, meanwhile, must do something about their pass-catching options. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey is the real deal, but the rest of the depth chart needs some help. Quentin Johnston is better off in a depth role while everyone else on the roster is fairly unremarkable. Justin Herbert is a great quarterback, but the former first-round pick needs more help to keep up with the league’s elite offenses. Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win with a physical run game, but he could make an exception and use some of the team’s projected $76 million on Tee Higgins.
Main Photo: Cara Owsley – USA Today Sports
