Tee Higgins formed the backbone of the Cincinnati Bengals offense as they chased an NFL playoff spot. They couldn’t secure a berth and now are on the verge of losing their star wide receiver as well.
Former NFL QB turned analyst Dan Orlovsky highlighted one team that could benefit from the services of Higgins. He considers the Carolina Panthers a dark horse in this race to land Higgins that is about to begin.
Dan Orlovsky Suggests a Move for Tee Higgins From the Panthers
Higgins formed a terrific trio with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase in their battle for the playoffs. Higgins ended the season with 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing a couple of games with a hamstring injury.
The 25-year-old was franchise-tagged by the Bengals at the beginning of the season after being unable to reach a deal. Trade rumors were afloat back then as well, but now his free agency seems imminent.
Sneaky team that I think should go after Tee Higgins in free agency@Panthers
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 8, 2025
Orlovsky threw his hat in the debate of where Higgins might land and suggested the Panthers could be one of the “sneaky” suitors on X (formerly Twitter). “Sneaky team that I think should go after Tee Higgins in free agency. Panthers,” he tweeted.
It will be difficult for the Bengals to hang on to Higgins with Chase’s extension also due on top of Burrow’s $55 million annual salary.
Burrow Pleads To Keep Higgins Around
Before the Bengals embarked on their Week 18 game, Burrow made it public in a press conference that he wants to continue playing with Higgins. He pleaded with the Bengals’ front office through the media.
“[Me and Higgins] started this whole thing together,” he said. “We came in together [in the 2020 NFL Draft] and built this thing from the ground up. You don’t want to make a habit of letting great players get out of the building.”
“Like I said earlier in the week, Tee’s a great player. A guy that does everything the right way and works really hard for it. When you have a guy like that you just can’t let him get out of the building.”
If Higgins ends up leaving Cincinnati, their 19-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers would be the last time Burrow played with him.