Tee Higgins just sent social media into a frenzy, and Bengals fans aren’t loving it. The star wideout dropped a cryptic post right after a Bengals’ executive made some less-than-reassuring comments about his future.
Coincidence? Fans don’t think so.
With free agency looming and contract talks stalled, Higgins’ message has sparked a wave of reactions – some hopeful, others roasting the Bengals as a “poverty franchise.”
Tee Higgins Drops a Cryptic Emoji; Bengals Fans Brace for Impact
Higgins just sent Bengals fans into full-blown panic mode. Hours after the team’s front office claimed they wanted him back, the star wideout dropped a cryptic hat emoji on social media – lingo for cap (aka, someone’s lying).
Just like that, the internet exploded. Fans wasted no time decoding the message. Some called out Bengals GM Duke Tobin for “capping” about a long-term deal.
Others started fantasy-trading Higgins to the 49ers and Chargers and even suggesting he should just chase a bag elsewhere. “Cincy ain’t signing him. Poverty franchise,” one fan posted, echoing the growing frustration.
Cincy ain’t signing him. Poverty franchise
— Ricardo “Rich” Alfonsini (@NFLAlfonsini) February 26, 2025
Another commented, “Be Drake Maye #1 and get paid a TON of money.”
Be Drake Maye #1 and get paid a TON of money
— Bostonsalesguy (@srqbanker) February 26, 2025
The Bengals are at a crossroads. With Joe Burrow locked in long-term and Ja’Marr Chase on deck for a record-breaking extension, Higgin – who played under a $21.8M franchise tag last season – is the odd man out.
This marks the second straight offseason the Bengals are dealing with Higgins’ contract situation. Last year, they slapped him with the $21.8M franchise tag. If they do it again, it’ll cost $26.16M – pricey but fair in today’s WR market.
Tobin insists they’re working on a deal, saying, “I think Tee Higgins is a fantastic football player, and I want him on my football team. Whenever I’m in charge of a football team, I want Tee Higgins. So I’m gonna do what I can to get Tee Higgins.” But that hat emoji says otherwise.
Despite missing time with a hamstring injury, Higgins posted 73 receptions, 911 yards, and 10 touchdowns in 2024. Burrow wants him back, even saying he’d restructure his contract to keep the band together.
“We have the cap space to get it done. I wanna make it happen. Everybody involved, Trey [Hendrickson], Tee, Ja’Marr, Mike [Gesicki], we all wanna stay together. So, when you have guys that are motivated like that, I think you can get those things done,” Burrow said.
Now, the Bengals have two choices: lock Higgins in with a long-term contract or tag him again, likely leading to a trade. Either way, the clock is ticking, and Higgins just put all the pressure on the Bengals.