Although Joe Burrow continues to turn up the heat on the Bengals regarding Tee Higgins, the team’s longtime No. 2 wide receiver is viewed as more likely than not to hit the market next month. He will be a top-tier free agent if/when that happens.
Higgins has spoken fondly of Cincinnati, despite his Bengals partnership not including real negotiations since early during the 2023 offseason, and continues to do so. But the five-year veteran’s most recent statement points continue to point toward an exit.
“Obviously, we want to build something here in Cincy, but it’s not in my hands right now,” Higgins said, via FOX19’s Joe Danneman. “So, I’ve got to do what I need to do. If that’s go to another team, then that’s what happens.
“I love it here; I love the city; I love the fans; I love the coaching staff, everything in the building. But, it’s not in my control.”
If the Bengals do not re-tag Higgins — at $26.82MM — staying with the team would be in his control. Though, the market is expected to escalate beyond the Bengals’ rumored comfort zone. De facto Bengals GM Duke Tobin said recently the team would be interested in retaining Higgins at the “right number.” Based on where the franchise is with Ja’Marr Chase and the trajectory of the Higgins (non)-negotiations, it is safe to assume that number is south of what Higgins could fetch in free agency.
Despite Higgins having missed five games in consecutive seasons, bidding is expected to land around $30MM per year. With last year’s free agency dominoes helping Calvin Ridley secure $23MM AAV as the top unattached receiver, it may have been beneficial for Higgins to have been tagged when he was. Higgins, 26, was coming off a down 2023 season (career-low 656 receiving yards); the WR market also did not reside where it does today. At the time the 2024 league year began, Tyreek Hill‘s $30MM-per-year Dolphins contract still led the way at receiver. Now, six wideouts are tied to $30MM-AAV deals. Higgins could soon be No. 7.
The Clemson alum said (via Danneman) he views himself as a No. 1 wideout. That title is not available in Cincinnati, which has placed a higher priority on extending its top target. The price of a Chase re-up almost definitely climbed after the four-year veteran’s triple crown season. A franchise not known for lofty guarantees beyond quarterback will likely need to go well outside its comfort zone to ensure Chase stays on a second contract. These proceedings certainly may drag into the summer; by then, Higgins could be long gone.
Last year’s extension run ended with the Eagles and Dolphins showing that carrying two high-end WR deals along with a franchise-QB salary is doable. Planning a Super Bowl blueprint, Philly re-upped A.J. Brown at $32MM per year and then circled back to DeVonta Smith at $25MM per annum. The Dolphins paid Waddle ($28.25MM AAV) and then authorized a significant guarantee bump on Hill’s $30MM-per-year pact. The Eagles, who also found money for Saquon Barkley (3/37.75), have been far more innovative in terms of contract structure compared to the Bengals. It would take some creativity for Cincinnati to find room for Higgins and have Chase on a WR-record accord.
Burrow has said he would restructure his contract to help the team afford Higgins, whom he has pushed the organization to re-sign for months. This is not exactly a sacrifice, as Burrow’s contract value would not be affected; rather, his payment schedule would change as a result of a restructure. The Bengals are not big on restructures, however, and the team may need to apply a second tag to ensure Higgins stays. Hitting the market when the legal tampering period starts March 10 would trigger a frenzy, as the Patriots will be one of many teams in pursuit.
Burrow’s cap number is set to check in at $46.25MM — $17MM north of its 2024 place — as the higher figures from his 2023 extension kick in. Absent a Burrow restructure, the team is expected to hold more than $46MM in cap space. If the Bengals do not reshuffle Burrow’s deal in an effort to re-tag Higgins and keep him off the market, a difficult conversation between the superstar QB and management will likely take place.
He’s gonna have so much leverage in free agency. I can think of 7 teams that could easily make him WR1, the main ones being Steelers patriots or bills
He can view himself as the king of England. The market will determine if he’s gonna be paid as a number one receiver
So he’ll stay in Cincinnati….. IF they pay him lol
He might be one…but he’s not THE one on the Bengals
Higgins is definitely one of the 15 best WR’s in the NFL. Not his fault or problem that he shares a huddle with one of the 5 best. He’s a #1 wideout across the league though not on his current team. Bengals probably shouldn’t pay him because they have Chase but his absence will certainly sting (and limit Chase’s ceiling when he gets safety help to his side on every route).
He would absolutely be number one receiver on a lot of teams. But there’s a pretty big price range of number ones. He’s not as good or as durable as Jefferson, Lamb, or Brown, who are over $30 million per year. Does he expect to be more in that range or more in the $25-28 million range of guys like DeVonta Smith, DJ Moore, and Jaylen Waddle. If he actually hits the open market, he’ll likely top those guys, since high end receivers in their peak years so rarely hit free agency. That’s why you see guys like Christian Kirk get surprising contracts.
No he wouldn’t. Same as JuJu when Brown was not there to pull coverage l.
A bunch of teams do not have a better receiver than Higgins. I don’t know what JuJu has to do with that.
He’s less productive when Chase is out. He’s TJ Houshmandzadah to Chase’s Chad Johnson. Good but not good as a number one.TJ found out how hard being a number one was when he signed with Seattle.
Higgins should be in the high twenties if he stays, otherwise I would tell the Bengals to grab Cooper Kupp and have the Orlando Brown sit on that punk Burton until he decides to stop acting like a b**ch. Maybe squeeze some sense into him. He’s good enough to take Higgins place, but unless he straightens up he’s going to be out of the league. Kupp could be a replacement for a while until they can draft someone else.
Houshmanzadeh was also 32 his first year on another team.
You’re not a number 1 with Chase buddy
Duke Tobin to Joe Burrow: “Unless you’re willing to take a pay cut we’re going to have to let Higgins walk…but don’t worry…A.J. Green is prepared to make a comeback at a price we like”.
Yeah, he is not a #1