Tee Higgins wants to stay with the Bengals, but with his contract expiring in 2024, he knows it’s out of his control due to the team’s salary cap situation. He’s focused on playing his best while awaiting a decision.
Tee Higgins’ contract expiration threatens the future of the Bengals’ powerful trio
The Bengals’ powerful offensive trio—Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase—has been crucial to the team’s success, but for them to stay together in 2025, Higgins will need a new contract. While Burrow and Chase have already secured long-term deals, Higgins is set to become a free agent after 2024.
The Bengals face a tough challenge due to their salary cap situation, with significant money tied up in Burrow and Chase. Although Higgins wants to stay in Cincinnati, the team’s ability to fit him under the cap will determine if this star trio remains intact.
"I love it here, I love the city, I love the fans, I love the coaching staff, everything in the building. But, it's not in my control."
We know what fans want.
We know what Joe Burrow wants.
But what is Tee Higgins' priority when it comes to his future? pic.twitter.com/zUDVXpuQfm— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) February 10, 2025
Tee Higgins mentioned that he hopes everything works out with the Bengals, but he knows his future isn’t in his hands, given the team’s salary cap challenges and other contract decisions.
“Yeah, of course, we all want to keep the core pieces what it is, even with Mike Gesicki. That’s a core piece as well. So obviously, we want to build something here in Cincy,” Higgins said, via FOX19’s Joe Danneman. “But you know, it’s not in my hands right now. So I gotta do what I need to do, and if that’s go to another team, that’s what happens.
“Obviously I would love to be here in Cincinnati,” Higgins continued. “I love it here. I love the city. I love the fans. I love the coaching staff—everything in the building. But it’s not in my control.”
Duke Tobin, the Bengals’ director of player personnel, has stated that the team wants to keep Tee Higgins, but the outcome of contract negotiations will be key. Last offseason, Higgins sought a larger deal, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement. Instead of signing a long-term contract, Higgins played under a franchise tag in 2024, which guarantees him a one-year deal but leaves his future uncertain.
With the Bengals already committed to big contracts for Burrow and Chase, Higgins’ future will depend on whether the team can make room for him under the salary cap while meeting his contract demands.
