Tee Higgins has been everything the Cincinnati Bengals organization could have hoped for when they selected him with the 33rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. In his four seasons in stripes, he’s amassed 3684 receiving yards (14.3 yards per reception) and 24 touchdowns in helping the orange and black get to places they haven’t been in over 30 years. The chemistry Higgins has shown with franchise quarterback Joe Burrow has been a breath of fresh air, especially on 50-50 jump balls that he often wins. His body control, route running and breakaway speed are also underrated. He’s demonstrated he can be a true number-one receiver when his all-world counterpart, Ja’Marr Chase is missing. Higgins’s recent comments should give Bengals fans some relief about his status in Cincinnati for the upcoming season and possibly beyond.
Tee Higgins Recent Comments Shine Light on 2024 Status in Stripes
Changes in Attitudes
Early this year, it was reported that Higgins wanted out of Cincinnati after being the first player placed on the franchise tag. This isn’t exactly the wise tone to take in negotiating with Mike Brown and the Bengals who have a long history of sticking to their guns. Higgins’s tone has seemed to soften considerably since then as he recently stated at his youth football camp in Loveland, Ohio that “I do anticipate it,” about remaining with the Bengals. “I’ve grown a love for Cincy that I didn’t think I would, but, you know, man, looking forward to it.”
More on Tee Higgins looking ahead to 2024 in Cincinnati following a full day at his annual local youth football camp:
"I've grown a love for Cincinnati that I didn't think I would. (I am) looking forward to it." pic.twitter.com/nBsAWmSoCY
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) April 15, 2024
This shift in mindset, appreciation for his coaches and teammates, and love for the city could provide hope that a long-term deal could get worked out to keep Higgins in Cincinnati.
Hope Springs Eternal
Recent contracts signed by several high-profile wide receivers, most recently, DeVonta Smith who cashed in with a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed could provide a framework for a possible contract extension for the Bengals star. The team is likely taking notice of what is happening around them and pondering the next steps for Higgins. The biggest roadblock to a deal has to be agent David Mulugheta who represents Higgins and former Bengal Jessie Bates III. The front office and Mulugheta don’t play nice and the holdup for the Bengals is often the big guaranteed money at the time of signing that Smith was able to get.
Special Ability
There’s no doubt in the rare ability that Higgins possesses and the Bengals would still prefer to keep their young skill players that they drafted and developed.
Whatever Tee Higgins did on this play https://t.co/PQICUl2s5i pic.twitter.com/OBFbvUJeJ6
— obscure bengals (@obscure_bengals) April 15, 2024
The simple fact remains that the Bengals are better with a healthy Higgins catching passes from Burrow and supported on the other side by Chase. If the two sides can let cooler heads prevail, we may hear the crowd at Paycor Stadium yell “Teeeeee” for many years to come.
Main Photo: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
