For the second straight season, the Cincinnati Bengals fell just short of the playoffs, finishing 9-8 in a highly competitive AFC. Injuries, inconsistency, and playing in a loaded conference kept them on the outside looking in. Now, all eyes are on the front office as they try to retool the roster and get Joe Burrow back into Super Bowl contention.
One of the biggest decisions the Bengals are faced with is the future of wide receiver Tee Higgins. A key piece of their offense since being selected with the 33rd pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Higgins has emerged as one of the league’s most reliable big-play threats.
However, with a massive payday looming and Cincinnati already committed to other players long-term, keeping Higgins may not be financially feasible. If he hits free agency, there will be no shortage of suitors — and one team, in particular, could shift the entire NFL landscape if they land him.
Michael Lombardi’s Take on Tee Higgins’ Future
Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi recently discussed Higgins’ situation on The Pat McAfee Show, making it clear that he expects the 25-year-old receiver to command a massive contract.
"I think Tee Higgins can be a number one and he's a dynamic player..
He's really talented and Duke Tobin isn't gonna be able to pay him what other teams are willing to pay" ~ @mlombardiuncgm #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/ApSfiKfmJm
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 30, 2025
“I think Tee Higgins can be a number one, and he’s a dynamic player,” Lombardi said. “He’s really talented, and Duke Tobin isn’t gonna be able to pay him what other teams are willing to pay.”
Cincinnati’s director of player personnel, Tobin, has repeatedly expressed confidence in keeping the team’s core intact but recently stated that it would be hard. History suggests that when elite wide receivers hit the open market, bidding wars drive their price tags up beyond what they are actually worth paying. Lombardi believes that’s exactly what will happen with Higgins—pricing the Bengals out of contention.
A Nightmare Landing Spot for the NFL?
Plenty of teams would love to have Higgins, but Lombardi singled out one destination in particular where he felt Higgins could really shine:
“You put Tee Higgins on a team like the 49ers, my lord,” he said.
"You put Tee Higgins on a team like the 49ers, my lord." 👀
UNC GM Michael Lombardi on where Tee Higgins could "shine" ahead of NFL free agency ✍️ @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/z8kL8CMxNR
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 30, 2025
San Francisco already has one of the more dynamic offenses in the NFL, with Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle all creating mismatches. Adding a 6’4”, sure-handed receiver like Higgins to that mix would make head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense even harder to defend.
Higgins’ ability to stretch the field, dominate in contested-catch situations, and win against top defensive backs would give quarterback Brock Purdy another elite target.
For Cincinnati, watching Higgins walk would be painful enough, but seeing him land on a team like San Francisco, where he could help a legitimate Super Bowl contender, would be a tough pill to swallow for the team’s entire fanbase.
The Bengals’ front office will do everything in its power to ensure Joe Burrow is back in the postseason next year. But with back-to-back 9-8 seasons while also missing the playoffs both times, major roster decisions could be coming.
Cincinnati already gave Burrow a historic contract extension, and Ja’Marr Chase is next in line for a massive deal. With limited cap space and other areas to address, the Bengals may not be able to compete with what receiver-needy teams — like the 49ers — can offer Higgins in free agency.