Tee Higgins' status with the Cincinnati Bengals has become increasingly uncertain as the team's options narrow heading toward the offseason. After finishing the 2024 regular season with another solid performance—highlighted by his impressive game against the Denver Broncos—Higgins has emerged as one of the most sought-after wide receivers on the market.
Selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2020 draft, Higgins has consistently demonstrated his skills on the field. He has recorded over 900 receiving yards in four of his five seasons and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark twice, amassing 34 career touchdowns. His standout performance against the Broncos cornerback Riley Moss during Week 17 showcased his potential clearly; he completed the game with 11 receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report noted, “Higgins could potentially turn a good receiving corpsinto a great one,” emphasizing his value to any team seeking to bolster their offense.
Despite his successful season, Higgins' future with the Bengals appears dim. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler suggests there is, “little to no chance Higgins is in Cincinnati beyond 2024,” indicating widespread sentiment across the league about his impending departure. With the Bengals expected to secure resources for fellow wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase's contract, Higgins may get sacrificed to balance the budget.
Higgins' current franchise tag sits at $21.8 million for the 2024 season, but retaining him would be significantly more expensive if the Bengals opted to use the tag again. An increase to $26.2 million—a 120 percent bump for second-time tagging—is projected, creating questions about whether the organization can afford such expenses. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was optimistic when discussing Higgins during his last news conference, stating, "I'm very hopeful that'll work out to where we are able to get him back," but he also acknowledged the complicated financial scenario.
While the Bengals must figure out their salary cap concerns, analysts are already predicting potential landing spots for Higgins, with the Denver Broncos being highlighted. Bleacher Report's Knox pointed out Denver's appealing situation for Higgins, considering they have around $60 million projected cap space for next season. If they secure some additional offensive talent, coupled with their top-10 defense, the Broncos could quickly ascend to Super Bowl contenders. The idea of pairing Higgins with quarterback Bo Nix has sparked intrigue among fans.
The Broncos witnessed Higgins' performance first-hand, as he carved up their defense explosively and laid the groundwork for not only his future but potentially the Broncos' offensive strategy moving forward. Knox remarked how Higgins’ style fits perfectly within offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi’s system, similar to how Lombardi utilized Keenan Allen during his tenure with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Higgins isn't only on the radar for Denver; as he steps onto the free-agent market, the number of receiver-needy teams is likely to create significant interest. Having proved himself as more than just a secondary asset, he holds WR1 traits, which will be highly coveted by franchises aiming for excellence.
Beyond the prospect of where Higgins might land, the Bengals have other pressing challenges. The organization needs to tackle Ja'Marr Chase's contract situation, who is seeking to be among the highest-paid non-quarterbacks following his remarkable season—the wideout accomplished the rare feat of a receiving Triple Crown, leading the league across multiple categories. The Bengals find themselves at the mercy of the timing; their earlier hesitation to secure deals for both Chase and Higgins could end up costing them considerably.
Zac Taylor has acknowledged the impending decisions the team must address before the offseason really begins. The Bengals have 20 players entering free agency, with notable names like defensive tackle B.J. Hill and cornerback Mike Hilton on the list. Various factors, including potential severances of players under contract who have underperformed, will heavily influence how the organization navigates these decisions.
With preparations heading inevitably toward free agency, NFL observers are left questioning the Bengals’ commitment to retaining Higgins. The winds seem to be changing, leaving Cincinnati fans both hopeful for their established star and wary of the changes heading their way. The overarching sentiment is clear—if they cannot secure Chase and align other contractual obligations properly, they may risk losing Higgins and altering their formidable receiver core for years to come.
One final reflection surrounds Higgins’ dilemma: does he want to stay loyal to Cincinnati, where he has established his career, or does the lure of competing alongside other talents prove to be too enticing? Tee Higgins will play this one out, but the league has its eyes fixed firmly on his next move.