NFL Rumors: 'Little to No Chance' Tee Higgins Returns to Bengals in Free Agency

Wide receiver Tee Higgins is reportedly considered a huge long shot to re-sign with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency during the offseason.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, NFL sources believe there is "little to no chance" Higgins will be with the Bengals in 2025.

Higgins is playing under the franchise tag this year, but franchising him again would cost $26.2 million, and Fowler noted it is likely the Bengals will instead use that money to sign No. 1 wideout Ja'Marr Chase to an extension.

This past offseason, Higgins did not immediately sign his franchise tender, instead requesting a trade in hopes of landing with a team that would be willing to sign him to an extension.

However, when no deal came to fruition, Higgins signed the franchise tender in July and agreed to play under the tag in 2024 before having the opportunity to hit free agency in 2025.

Over his first three NFL seasons after the Bengals selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, Higgins built up a strong rapport with quarterback Joe Burrow and put up strong numbers.

He delivered two 1,000-yard seasons during that stretch and averaged 72 receptions for 1,009 yards and a shade over six touchdowns per year.

Injuries started to take a toll on Higgins last season, though, as he missed five games and was limited in a couple of others, leading to a career-worst stat line of 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns.

It has been more of the same for the 25-year-old receiver in 2024 as well with him missing half of the Bengals 10 games due to hamstring and quad ailments.

Higgins has been highly productive when on the field, recording 29 grabs for 341 yards and three scores, but his lack of availability has undoubtedly contributed to the Bengals' disappointing 4-6 start.

Chase, who held out during training camp before returning to practice shortly before the start of the regular season, has benefited from Higgins' absence to the tune of a league-leading 66 receptions, 981 yards and 10 touchdowns.

That figures to help him land the mega contract extension he has been seeking, but it will also make it difficult for the Bengals to justify re-signing Higgins.

Higgins' durability issues may make it a bit easier for the Bengals to let go of him, as there will be significant risk involved with giving him a high-dollar contract.

Even so, Higgins figures to land one in free agency since he is shaping up to be the clear best wideout available, has a history of success and will still only be 26 by the time the offseason rolls around.

Assuming that happens, the Bengals will have an obvious hole across from Chase that they'll either have to fill in the draft or from within in the form of Andrei Iosivas or 2024 third-round pick Jermaine Burton.