Tell the Steelers they can’t have him.
The season is over for the Cincinnati Bengals, and now they’re left to try to rebuild their defense and offensive line before the 2025 season. Another big decision they need to make is how hard they’re going to push to keep wide receiver Tee Higgins in the Queen City.
Higgins has been WR2 to Ja’Marr Chase since the latter was selected in the first round of the draft in 2021. However, over the last five years with the Bengals he’s shown the whole world he’s a WR1 as well. He just happens to be on the same team as one of the best receivers in the world.
Joe Burrow has made it clear he wants Higgins to remain in Cincinnati, but with Chase’s extension coming, and hopefully an extension for Trey Hendrickson as well, it’s unclear as to whether the team’s front office will meet his salary demands.
If they can’t, and Higgins tests the market, one suitor Bengals fans would hate to see get their hands on the talented wide receiver is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Not only did Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin compare Higgins to NBA Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal, but a Pittsburgh radio host claims the team would love to land the top wide receiver on the market.
“Steelers LOVE Tee Higgins,” Andrew Fillipponi wrote on Twitter. “And would be willing to give him MORE than they were willing to pay Brandon Aiyuk in a trade last summer. Could mean as much as $30 million a year. Stay tuned.”
The Steelers are in need of a wide receiver to pair with George Pickens and hopefully help the young wideout mature. The Bengals, however, would also be in need of at least one wide receiver if Higgins were to leave.
The best receiver on the team behind Chase and Higgins in 2024 was tight end Mike Gesicki. If the Bengals allow Higgins to leave in free agency, they’d need to replace their WR2 and possibly find a reliable WR3 as well, depending on how things shake out with Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, and Jermaine Burton.
The Bengals had one of the most potent passing attacks in the NFL in 2024 and would like that to continue throughout the 2025 season as well. Keeping Higgins in stripes will be a big part of that.
Do you think the Bengals should do whatever it takes to keep Higgins in Cincinnati? Sound off below.
