Tee Higgins doesn’t rule out leaving Bengals after 2024 season but remains committed to the ‘Big One’
Tee Higgins may leave if he doesn't secure a new contract, but he's focused on making this season count by winning a Super Bowl with Joe Burrow.
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Tee Higgins (Image via IMAGO)
Before the Buffalo Bills signed Amari Cooper from the Cleveland Browns, there was a genuine possibility of Tee Higgins moving to the Buffalo team in an eye-popping trade. Two days after the Cooper appeared in Bills clothing, Higgins attended a couple of Cincinnati Bengals training sessions to prepare for the Browns on Sunday.
Higgins did not make his debut for the 2024 season until week 3 when the Bengals lost to the Washington Commanders. He appeared in the rest of the games from then on and recorded 25 receptions for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Bengals sit on 2-4 after beating the Panthers and the Giants and are among the teams looking to bounce back from the disappointing start to the season. However, on one hand, they are fighting for a playoff spot, and on the other, they can’t extend their receivers’ contracts.
While ace receiver Ja’Marr Chase still has a year left in his deal, Higgins’ will end after this season. So when the Bills started looking for a receiver, the 25-year-old was among the shortlisted for trade, which never materialized.
As of now, the Bengals have no intention of contract talks midway through the campaign. However, if they don’t, then they risk losing Higgins, whom the franchise tagged to keep him from leaving for 2024.
When the reporters asked Higgins about his future in Cincinnati, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging it, but at the same time, he wanted to make it count by winning the big one.
I just want to make it something special just because we want to win the big one [Super Bowl] as a whole but, if it is the last one then obviously yeah I wanna make it something special.
Tee Higgins said on Thursday (H/T: Mike Petraglia on X)
Asked Tee Higgins if possibly playing his last season in Cincinnati has crossed his mind. pic.twitter.com/5sIjf3JCLa
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) October 17, 2024
Joe Burrow claimed Tee Higgins is different this season
One of the big reasons the Bengals even won a couple of games is because their quarterback, Joe Burrow, is playing lights out week in and week out. Even in the losses, he went toe to toe with the opposing quarterback.
For example, in the Bengals’ Week 5 loss to the Ravens, Burrow threw five touchdowns with a QBR of 147.7. Two of them were to Tee Higgins, who had nine catches for 83 yards.
Burrow has always been a big believer in Higgins’ ability, but according to him, there’s a big difference between this year and the previous ones for the Clemson graduate.
He’s playing with a chip on his shoulder this year. I think his level of urgency since he came back has been high. He’s been excited about his ability to go out and make plays this year, and he’s continuing to show that he can.
Joe Burrow said about Higgins recently
The Browns are the Bengals’ Achilles heel. Kevin Stefanski’s side has won the divisional rivalry seven times in their last 10 meetings. However, a Burrow-less Bengals won the last meeting between the two as backup Jake Browning threw two touchdowns.
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Ishan Misra
(2962 Articles Published)