The Cincinnati Bengals are at a crossroads as they head toward the offseason, with standout wide receiver Tee Higgins' future hanging in the balance. After finishing the 2024 NFL season on the franchise tag at $21.8 million, the young star is set to enter free agency, and the Bengals face tough decisions on whether to retain him.
The Bengals had high hopes for the year, but they found themselves eliminated from playoff contention last Sunday, ending their season with disappointment. Despite the team's struggles, Higgins had impressive numbers, finishing with 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been vocal about his desire to keep Higgins, noting their history together. "Whenever a great player leaves, you wish you could have found a way to keep him," Burrow said, emphasizing the importance of Higgins to the team's success.
Higgins, who turns 26 later this month, has already made it clear he would like to remain with the Bengals. "I wouldn't mind being here at all. I know the city in and out, know the facility; I've got a great relationship with the front office and coaching side," he stated after the Bengals' last game. The rapport between him and Burrow is evident, with Burrow admitting, "We started this whole thing together. We came in together and built this thing from the ground up."
One of the biggest challenges facing the Bengals is the financial aspect of retaining their star receiver. Head coach Zac Taylor noted the difficulty of negotiating contracts amid high stakes. “I think 'lobby' is not the right word... but we certainly have great conversations,” Taylor explained, assuring fans of his dedication to keeping the team's effective players. "Tee's one of them certainly, and I'm very hopeful that'll work out."
The Bengals might have $65 million to work with, yet the financial burden of extending both Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, who requires significant funds due to his standout performance, complicates matters. Chase set records last season and is primed for mega-contract talks, potentially driving up Higgins’ market value.
With Higgins set to hit the open market, teams across the NFL are already eyeing potential bids. The New England Patriots stand as one of the most appealing options financially, boasting $121.6 million in projected cap space. If the Patriots are willing to spend, they could rapidly reshape their team around promising quarterback Drake Maye and take advantage of Higgins' ability to be a true No. 1 receiver.
On the other hand, the Tennessee Titans could present a unique fit, especially since head coach Brian Callahan previously coached Higgins as offensive coordinator for the Bengals. The Titans, whom many see as needing to revamp their offensive strategy, could benefit from Higgins' established rapport with Callahan.
The Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos are other teams rumored to be interested. The Commanders, who finished strong with aims of returning to the playoffs, have more than $102 million available and could benefit from Higgins' height and speed. Meanwhile, the Broncos have $60 million on deck and could see Higgins as the finishing touch needed to bolster their championship aspirations.
The Los Angeles Chargers could also emerge as strong contenders, particularly with their promising offensive unit led by Justin Herbert. A move to Los Angeles would provide Higgins with the chance to play alongside another stellar quarterback, allowing him to continue his momentum from the past season.
Yet, there remains the question of whether Higgins truly wants to leave Cincinnati, where he has established himself as not just another player, but an integral part of the team's DNA. The Bengals have shown interest, albeit cautiously, considering previous resistance to significant long-term deals with prominent players. With the franchise tag, they may leverage it again, but it would come at increasing cost—up to $26.2 million for the second consecutive year—certainly proving unwieldy.
Overall, the decisions surrounding Tee Higgins will define the Bengals' offseason. With fans eager to see their team succeed and maintain its strong core of players, the organization faces significant pressure to act decisively. Burrow's statement encapsulates the current sentiment among players and supporters alike: "You just can't let him get out of the building." Burrow's words resonate louder than ever as the Bengals tread carefully but assertively through the offseason waters, trying to secure their future with Higgins. The upcoming weeks will be pivotal as the Bengals weigh their options, budgets, and the aspirations of their star receiver, Tee Higgins.