MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. −  When the Cincinnati Bengals opted to pay both of their star wide receivers $68 million on an annual basis for the next four years, it was a defining moment for the franchise.

It was a massive decision that the franchise made March 16. To pay two players at the same position that type of money isn’t one many franchises would make. The Bengals, however, believed Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase would be worth the investment.

No one questioned if the Bengals would pay Chase when he was due for his pay day. Higgins was the one who was expected to go elsewhere simply because Chase was going to command a record-setting contract.

The Bengals fought committing to Higgins long-term. It took three years for the Bengals and Higgins to ultimately agree on a long-term commitment. And on Dec. 21 at Hard Rock Stadium, Higgins showed the Bengals’ organization why he was worth the contract they gave him.

“He’s a soldier,” Chase said about his teammate and close friend following the Bengals’ 45-21 win over the Dolphins.

Higgins has been in and out of concussion protocol three different times since Nov. 16. He missed Cincinnati’s Thanksgiving win over the Ravens with a concussion. Then, he returned for the Bengals’ Week 14 game against Buffalo. He then re-entered the protocol after hitting his head against the Bills and missed the Bengals’ Dec. 14 loss to the Baltimore Ravens with a concussion.

The Bengals were eliminated from postseason contention following their loss to the Ravens. Higgins could have decided to put his health first and sit out another game if he didn’t feel completely comfortable. No one would have faulted him for putting his personal health first after going through what he did in the last month.

Tee Higgins discusses what the last 2 weeks have been like for him dealing with being in and out of the concussion protocol: pic.twitter.com/3kEicZadDZ

— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) December 21, 2025

But that’s not who Higgins is. He returned to practice and went to see a specialist in Pittsburgh on Dec. 18. Higgins said he didn’t want to get back on the field and play in a game until he saw a specialist. The Bengals made sure that happened.

Higgins gave credit to the Bengals’ organization for their help in getting him to Pittsburgh. On the flight to see the specialist, Higgins said he was anxious. It was important to him to go through a series of tests with the specialist and get “peace of mind” that he was cleared to play at the highest level.

“It’s been a tough road, obviously, with all of the tests and things like that,” Higgins said.

Higgins took time to advocate for anyone dealing with concussion symptoms to report them and seek medical attention. He understands the platform he has and how serious a brain injury can be.

“If you’re having the symptoms, for sure, you need to come forward because the brain injury, that’s nothing to play with, it’s serious and affects you a long time,” Higgins said.

Despite limited practice and game reps over the last month, Higgins showed no rust against the Dolphins catching three passes for 53 yards and one touchdown. With a strong finish to the season, he could eclipse 1,000 receiving yards for the third time in his career. In 13 games this year, he’s caught 49 passes for 720 yards and 10 touchdowns.

There’s no question that what Higgins did on the field helped the Bengals beat the Dolphins. But what he provided to Cincinnati’s locker room from a mental standpoint might be even more important.

Higgins showed that no matter how much money he got paid, the responsibility he feels to his teammates, coaches and organization is greater than all.

“At the end of the day, I’m a competitor,” Higgins said. “I want to compete with the guys.”

And his teammates took note.

“100 percent baller,” offensive lineman Amarius Mims said of Higgins. “He loves us. He cares about the team. It just shows the hard worker he is, just how much he loves us and the game.”

“I think it speaks volumes to Tee’s character and who he is because it probably would have been easy to just be like, ‘Hey, you know what? Call it a year and be ready for next year.’ But he’s a competitor, he battles and it was great having him back out there,” tight end Mike Gesicki said.

The Bengals won’t get a shot to see what a playoff run could look like because they didn’t win enough games when it mattered. They have two games remaining in the season, and Higgins battling through multiple stints in concussion protocol to play will end up being one of the more positive storylines this season will bring.

Missing the playoffs three years in a row will result in tough conversations across the Bengals’ organization the minute the season ends. Missing the playoffs with Burrow, Chase and Higgins shouldn’t continue to happen.