In his contract year, Tee Higgins was swiftly removed from trade rumors by Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin, who also stated that the team’s number-two wide receiver would not be available. Even though Higgins did not improve in 2023, should the Ja’Marr Chase sidekick be able to sign a free agent, he still has a chance to be among the best pass catchers available.
Regarding Higgins’s future with the team this season, Tobin is a little less certain. After completing his rookie contract, the former second-round pick will be able to sign free agents in March. Higgins is free to talk with other clubs if the Bengals do not have him franchise-tagged by March 5 or re-signed by March 11.
Losing Higgins has long been a possibility, as Chase will naturally be the team’s top focus at wide receiver and Joe Burrow is now the highest paid player in the NFL. The four-year starter is someone the Bengals would like to re-sign, though. Additionally, a rumor from January stated that the organization is ready to tag the 6-foot-4 pass catcher.
“We’ll see what happens this year,” Tobin stated, as reported by Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “I desire Tee Higgins’ return.” Tee Higgins’ return would be appreciated by all members of our team. Once more, there is only one pie, and we will have to decide how big a slice it takes and what else we are unable to accomplish as a result.
Higgins, who concluded a season marred by injuries with career-low reception numbers
Chase can remain on his rookie deal through the 2025 season because of the fifth-year option. As was the case with Justin Jefferson in Minnesota, no team in the fifth-year option era has extended a first-round receiver with two years left on a rookie contract. This suggests that Cincinnati should discuss an extension with Chase in his fifth year (2025) as opposed to this offseason.
However, the Bengals’ choice on Higgins will be influenced if they end up signing Chase to a contract that exceeds $30 million annually. Prior to the season, the organization and Higgins had discussions about an extension, but Higgins did not think the offer was compelling. Even before the deadline, the Bengals rejected trade offers. Additionally, Burrow’s contract calls for a midlevel ceiling of $29,7MM in 2024 before it spikes above.
Tobin appears less upbeat. Jonah Williams may continue to work. Orlando Brown Jr.’s $16MM-per-year contract was signed by the Bengals, shocking Williams and forcing the three-year left tackle to the right side. Williams asked to be traded, but in the summer he came back to the team. The four-year starter on the offensive line appears to be leaving soon.
“I have no idea what the future will bring. Through Conway, Tobin stated, “We’ll see.” We shall see if there is a large enough slice of pie for him or if he will be able to find a larger pie elsewhere. Right now, it’s difficult to gauge exactly what other teams will do or how interested they will be in any of our free players.
This past season, Williams, 26, made a full recovery from his postseason knee injury and started every 17 Bengals games. Williams was ranked 59th among tackles by Pro Football Focus. It would be interesting to see if Williams makes it known in advance of free agency that he plans to play left tackle for his next team. If he were to enter the market, the 2019 first-round selection would rank among the best O-linemen available, regardless of position.
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