Tee Higgins is expected to enter free agency and cash in on a huge payday after racking up 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns during the 2024 NFL season. For his career, he’s totaled 330 receptions, 4,595 yards, and 34 touchdowns in 70 games.
Higgins has been a dangerously reliable weapon for Joe Burrow in his five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. The former second-round pick out of Clemson is a rising star receiver who has made his worth known despite a rash of unfortunate injuries over the last two years.
Tee Higgins Reacts to Joe Burrow’s Comments
Higgins certainly has the respect and support of his quarterback. Burrow was quick to extol the value of keeping Higgins in a Bengals uniform in 2025 and beyond when asked about it at Super Bowl 59.
Burrow expressed confidence in keeping all the core pieces together in Cincinnati. That includes himself, Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase. No one wants to break the band up.
“We all want to stay together, so we want to make it work,” Burrow said.
Higgins appreciated Burrow’s comments, echoing what his quarterback said and reiterating how much he loves playing in Cincinnati during an interview with FOX19.
“That’s what it’s all about. Another brother looking out for his brother, and you can’t ask for nothing more than that,” Higgins said of Burrow. “He’s putting that pressure on the front office and whatnot, but we’ll see. I appreciate him and Ja’Marr [Chase] for speaking out and doing things of that nature because guys don’t have to do that.”
There is no excuse financially for the #Bengals NOT to bring back Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson. pic.twitter.com/CN2Knv83Zx
— Chatterbox Sports (@CBoxSports) February 10, 2025
When asked about his optimism of working out a long-term extension, Higgins seemed unsure.
“We’ll see. You never know what the future holds,” Higgins told Joe Danneman. “Obviously, I would love to be here in Cincinnati. I love it here. I love the city. I love the fans. I love the coaching staff. I love everyone in the building, but it’s out of my control.”
Don’t Forget About Mike Gesicki in Cincinnati
Another player is getting lumped into that core group as well. In addition to Higgins and Chase, veteran tight end Mike Gesicki is a free agent and a key leader in the Bengals’ locker room and is an intriguing name to watch when free agency kicks off in March.
“We all wanted to keep the core pieces the way it is, even with Mike Gesicki, you know what I mean? That’s a core piece as well,” Higgins told FOX19. “Obviously, we want to build something together in Cincy, but it’s not in my hands right now. I gotta do what I gotta do, and if that means go to another team, then that’s what will happen.”
Why Higgins is PFSN’s Top-Ranked Free Agent
Higgins has put together a very solid body of work since he entered the NFL in 2020. Over the last five years, his 4,595 receiving yards ranks 18th in that time. While his 65.6 yards per game only rank 26th, he has effectively played four of those seasons as the No. 2 behind Chase.
Over the course of his NFL career, Higgins ranks 10th at the position in success rate (59.8%) and 13th at the position in touchdowns. The 2024 season was his best in terms of touchdowns (10) despite only playing in 12 games. His drop rate this season was also a career-low at 2.8%, while Burrow had a 119.5 passer rating when targeting Higgins.
Tee Higgins having perhaps the game of his career in what could be his final home game as a Bengal.
– 11 catches
– 131 yards
– 3 TDs (GW in OT)Cincy might have to just back up the brinks truck.pic.twitter.com/pBpFVr4gkr
— Mike Kennedy (@MikeKennedyNFL) December 29, 2024
Higgins’ biggest Achilles heel right now is his health. He’s missed a total of 10 games over the past two seasons and hasn’t played a full season since his rookie year. Additionally, there were reports that he was playing through an injury down the stretch to try and help the Bengals make the playoffs.
That toughness will certainly be respected, but it also raises concerns. Having played just 24 out of 34 games in the last two years, plus the contests when he played hurt, there are some serious durability questions that teams must consider before making a lucrative offer.