DECEMBER 13: Rocky Arceneaux and Caitlin Aoki are now officially listed as Higgins’ agents, as noted by ESPN’s Ben Baby. Arceneaux is also Chase’s agent, so the developments which take place at the negotiating table on both fronts this offseason will have a notable common denominator.
DECEMBER 12: Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has parted ways with his agent, David Mulugheta, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Higgins is currently playing on a $21.8MM franchise tag after failing to reach a long-term agreement with the Bengals during the offseason. The star wideout was not expected to remain in Cincinnati after this season, but his agent change and recent comments from Joe Burrow indicate that the tide could be turning.
Higgins’ situation resembles that of ex-Bengals safety Jessie Bates, another Mulugheta client. Bates ended up leaving Cincinnati after his tag year to sign a four-year, $64MM contract with the Falcons. Separating from Mulugheta could be an indication that Higgins is looking to stay with the Bengals instead of testing the open market this offseason.
Still, negotiations between Higgins and the Bengals still face multiple obstacles. The two sides were clearly far apart on their valuation during the offseason, and Higgins’ play this year has likely done little to bring them together together. Higgins has only appeared in eight games in 2024, but when healthy, he’s put up some of the best per-game averages of his career. The Bengals will point to his injuries over the last two seasons as their basis for a lower offer, while Higgins and his agent will argue that he’s avoided injured reserve and been able to produce whenever he is in the lineup.
Further complicating matters will be Ja’Marr Chase‘s expected mega-extension which is expected to equal or even surpass the $35MM annual value of Justin Jefferson‘s contract. Chase’s contract will impact the availability of both cash and cap space in Cincinnati, while another increase in the wide receiver market will lead to higher demands from Higgins.
Burrow’s recent comments have made one thing clear: the Bengals’ top three offensive players want to stay together. It’s easy to see why: their passing attack is one of the league’s best when all three are healthy. Cincinnati will have to get creative – or, just pony up a boatload of money – to keep the core of their offense intact for years to come.
Maybe the Bungles haven’t noticed, but their D is atrocious. It’s time to spend on that side of the ball.
I think you run the risk of being fired if you even mention the word “spend” in the Bengals team office 🙂
He’s going to commanders chiefs patriots or colts
Unless Tee has had a change of heart, and decided to take a lot less , it’s foolish of the Bengals to entertain an extension.. let him walk , sign a monster deal in FA, collect one of the highest comp picks issued (end of Rd 3 probably)
And draft his replacement (hell draft 2 guys )
Easy peezy
They drafted a guy in the 3rd round (Burton) and he has 3 receptions. Not so easy peezy
Burton is head case with a ton of talent, they knew that when they picked him .. and umm idk maybe take one in the first or second.. my point still stands
No. Your point changed. 1st round is much different than the 3rd and the Bengals need defense…or haven’t you heard
There ya go. It was all the agent’s fault.
but when healthy, he’s put up some of the best per-game averages of his career.
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Has he? there are plenty of numbers to hang your hat on, but I like yards/target, and that’s decreased from an excellent 9.9 to 9.4 to 8.6 to 8.0, which is fairly pedestrian. On a team with Burrows throwing, and Chase forcing teams to focus on him, I’d have expected a little bit more.