Tee Higgins has been a key piece of the Cincinnati Bengals’ offense since entering the league in 2020. A reliable deep threat with a rare blend of size, speed, and hands, Higgins has formed one of the most dangerous receiver duos in the entire NFL alongside Ja’Marr Chase.
But as he enters free agency this offseason, the Bengals face a difficult decision: Can they afford to keep him?
Higgins is expected to command a massive contract, and with Cincinnati already preparing to give Chase a record-setting extension, the team may not have the cap space to match what other franchises are willing to offer. With several receiver-needy teams flush with cap space, Higgins could be on the move sooner rather than later.
Tee Higgins’ Market Value: $30 Million Per Year?
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, most NFL insiders expect Higgins to land a contract worth at least $30 million per year.
“The over/under on Bengals receiver Tee Higgins’ market is $30 million per season, and the majority of team personnel that I spoke with believe he’ll hit or clear the over.”
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The majority of #NFL personnel around the league expect #Bengals WR Tee Higgins to get over $30 million per season on a new deal this offseason, per @JFowlerESPN
“The over/under on Bengals receiver Tee⁰Higgins' market is $30 million per season, and the majority… pic.twitter.com/Ur75mK8vLx
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 1, 2025
That’s a steep price for any team, but it reflects Higgins’ potential value as a true No. 1 receiver. At 6’4” with elite ball skills and the ability to dominate in contested-catch situations, he’s the type of wideout that could instantly transform an offense. However, that price tag could make it difficult for the Bengals to keep him around.
Can the Bengals Afford To Keep Higgins?
Cincinnati currently has $46.5 million in cap space, according to Over the Cap, which puts them in a tough position. While they could technically afford Higgins, their top priority is locking in Chase for the long term. Chase is expected to reset the wide receiver market with a huge deal that could exceed $30 million per year, making it nearly impossible to keep both star receivers.
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Higgins has been a fantastic second option in the Bengals’ passing attack, but as Burrow already signed a historic contract and other key areas of the roster need attention, Cincinnati may have no choice but to let him walk in free agency.
Possible Landing Spots for Higgins
If Higgins does hit the open market, plenty of teams will undoubtedly be interested, but two stand out as particularly strong fits.
New England Patriots: The Patriots have over $120 million in cap space, by far the most in the NFL. They desperately need a true No. 1 receiver, and with a new head coach coming in, they could be aggressive in free agency. Pairing their new quarterback, Drake Maye, with Higgins could be a franchise-altering move.
San Francisco 49ers: The 49ers have an elite roster, but with Brandon Aiyuk’s future uncertain and Deebo Samuel Sr.’s durability concerns, they could make a big splash at receiver. Higgins would be a perfect fit in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, giving Brock Purdy yet another dynamic weapon.
Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati’s front office knows that getting Joe Burrow back in the playoffs is the top priority. After back-to-back 9-8 seasons without a postseason appearance, the pressure is on to make the necessary roster moves to compete in the loaded AFC.
The Bengals’ best-case scenario would be keeping both Chase and Higgins, but with limited cap space, that may not be realistic. Higgins has been a vital part of the Bengals’ success in recent years, but with his market value skyrocketing, his time in Cincinnati could be coming to an end.