Tee Higgins finds himself in the news with the Cincinnati Bengals in a tight spot as the 2024 NFL regular season winds down. The franchise has slim postseason hopes and faces an even bigger battle off the field — keeping their superstar trio of Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Higgins intact.
NFL Fans Struggling To Come To Terms of Tee Higgins’ Proposed Compensation
Financial constraints tighten the Bengals’ salary cap, and all eyes are on Higgins, who is nearing the end of his rookie contract while playing under the franchise tag with a payout of $21.8 million. A discount decision on Higgins’ end has sparked heated discussions among fans and analysts alike.
Higgins, a vital cog in the Bengals’ offensive system under head coach Zac Taylor, is hinting at prioritizing team chemistry over a massive payday. CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala quoted him saying, “Being paid as a WR1 is not necessarily my no. 1 motivator. I’m playing with if not the best, one of the best, QBs. I’m playing with if not the best, one of the best, WRs.”
Tee Higgins told me last week being paid as a WR1 is not necessarily his no. 1 motivator. Said, “I’m playing with if not the best, one of the best, QBs. I’m playing with if not the best, one of the best, WRs. That opens up things for me.” And: “In this offense, everyone has a… https://t.co/zsmd1odtZV
— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) December 29, 2024
Former NFL and Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason weighed in on the matter, saying, “Why should anyone take less???,” to which one responded with “Shush 🤫.”
Shush 🤫
— Demetrius Wilcox (@DemetriusWilcox) December 31, 2024
Another said, “I don’t know, but the Bengal Front office is obtuse if they don’t sign him. He wants to play here…”
One X user said, “Maybe Tee Higgins likes catching passes from Joe Burrow. Maybe he prefers Joe over Drake Maye.”
Another commented, “Because this is where he wants to be, Boomer. Sometimes you come across players who cares about more than just the money… 🤷♂️”
“Because Joe Burrow. And you know this,” another fan tweeted.
One more said, “Go somewhere else and not have the chemistry and ur one and done with ur contract. How many times has this happened..”
Higgins has proven his worth on the field. In the Bengals’ Week 17 overtime victory against the Denver Broncos, he tallied 11 receptions on 12 targets for 131 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner.
His stats for the season now stand at 69 catches, 858 yards, and 10 touchdowns despite missing five games due to injury. Fans love Higgins’ unselfish play, and the high production has improved his status as one of the NFL’s top receivers.
The decision on Higgins’ future isn’t just crucial for the Bengals. It also impacts teams like the New England Patriots, who have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Patriots would like to get Higgins and build a team around him. However, his willingness to accept less money and remain in Cincinnati could derail those plans.