CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals broad receivers coach Troy Walters noticed the headlines and heard the chatter about doubtlessly shedding star wideout Tee Higgins.
So, sooner or later in the midst of the offseason, Walters picked up the telephone and referred to as Higgins to search out out for himself. After requesting a trade originally of free company, would Higgins maintain out and skip coaching camp if a deal did not get carried out?
“I reached out to him and wished to know the reality,” Walters informed ESPN in October.
At the time of the decision, Higgins was lining up a putt throughout a spherical of golf in Miami. When he and Walters spoke, the reassurance was given — if Higgins could not get the long-term deal carried out, he was going to just accept the one-year franchise tag from the Bengals and got down to have the very best season doable.
Mission completed, at the very least from a person standpoint. Despite the Bengals struggling by means of a 4-8 file, Higgins is within the midst of his greatest season, averaging a career-high 79.7 yards with 5 receiving touchdowns, two off from his profession greatest. He’s caught a landing cross in his previous three video games and will likely be trying to prolong that streak Monday in opposition to the Dallas Cowboys (8:15 p.m ET, ESPN).
Still, Higgins, who has missed 5 video games with mushy tissue accidents, has heard cynics marvel if he was faking injury to protest his contract. It did not sit nicely with the participant anticipated to be the top free agent in 2025. And with quarterback Joe Burrow already on a $275 million contract extension and broad receiver Ja’Marr Chase eyeing a market-altering deal, that would depart Higgins wanting elsewhere with a purpose to safe his subsequent payday.
“He’s on a mission,” Walters stated. “This is a giant 12 months for him, however he isn’t letting that strain and that no matter else get to him.
“He looks like he is having enjoyable. He’s taking part in with a whole lot of peace.”
THAT PEACE WAS interrupted early within the season when Higgins missed the primary two video games with a hamstring damage and heard fan chatter about his motives.
“I simply do not perceive why followers suppose I’m faking an damage, when for me to get an extension for a contract, the deadline is over,” Higgins informed ESPN on the time. “I simply do not perceive why they suppose I’m faking an damage. It does not make sense to me.”
The soft-tissue setbacks have been irritating for Higgins. And he plans on attending to the underside of it. This offseason, he stated he’ll undertake a research to find out the basis reason for the accidents. It will likely be just like the research Green Bay Packers broad receiver Christian Watson had this 12 months for his hamstring injuries.
In every of the previous two offseasons, Higgins has appeared to money in after assuming an even bigger position on a group that has performed for 2 AFC championships. Higgins is fourth amongst members of the 2020 draft class with 3,684 receiving yards. The others within the high 5 acquired contract extensions by Week 1 of this season — the Minnesota Vikings‘ Justin Jefferson ($35 million per season), Dallas Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb ($34 million), San Francisco 49ers‘ Brandon Aiyuk ($30 million) and Indianapolis Colts‘ Michael Pittman Jr. ($23.3 million).
Higgins was positioned on the franchise tag that was price $21.8 million.
Chase, who was taken with the fifth decide in 2021 and has been to 3 Pro Bowls in as many NFL seasons, was additionally in negotiations for a contract that would have made him the very best paid non-quarterback in league historical past. But no deal was made whereas Chase carried out a hold-in — attending practices however not taking part in group drills — within the preseason earlier than deciding to play. He’s additionally having fun with a profession 12 months, and must be in line for an enormous extension.
When the Bengals positioned the tag on Higgins on Feb. 26, he stated he knew a deal wasn’t going to return to fruition. On March 11, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported by way of a supply that Higgins was in search of a commerce.
“Obviously I needed to strive,” Higgins informed ESPN. “Who am I to not strive?”
He is aware of he might have extended the scenario by skipping coaching camp and refusing to signal the franchise tag. But as somebody who has performed soccer since he was 4, the thought of holding out appeared like a international idea.
“I do know myself,” Higgins stated. “I should be within the combine operating routes and being with the fellows and being round my teammates. That’s simply who I’m as a participant and as an individual. I’m not saying no shade on anyone else. It’s simply who I’m.”
While Chase was holding in, Higgins labored with the offense to prepare for his fifth season. Throughout the offseason, Walters checked in with Higgins roughly each different week to see how he was doing. Amid these talks, Walters careworn the worth of gaining reps earlier than Week 1.
“You obtained to undergo the hardening and what coaching camp provides you,” Walters stated of the conversations. “And he was on board.
“He signed. He was right here Day 1, and he understood that all the pieces goes to handle itself if he performs on the sphere.”
One of his largest video games was Sunday night time, Oct. 13 in opposition to the Giants, when he caught all seven of his targets for 77 yards in a victory.
“Tee performed an important half, beginning off the sport explosive,” Chase stated afterward. “Came out with sturdy palms, making some extent that he is nonetheless one of many high receivers within the sport.”
Per week later, Higgins led the group with 82 receiving yards and a landing that was the profitable margin in a 21-14 victory in opposition to the Browns.
Higgins’ dependability in key moments dates again to the run to the Super Bowl in 2021, Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher stated. In the 23-20 Super Bowl loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Higgins caught Cincinnati’s solely two touchdowns.
“I do not suppose we get there with out Tee,” Pitcher stated. “He’s form of maintained that all through. We have complete belief in him. It’s his method. It’s his demeanor in massive moments.”
SITTING AT HIS locker earlier than a Week 8 sport in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles that he would miss with a quadriceps damage — certainly one of three he would miss — Higgins reached into his backpack and pulled out a ebook urged to him by Walters referred to as “Experiencing God.” Sensing Higgins was pissed off and struggling, Walters sat him down earlier than the season in an interplay that Higgins stated was “life-changing.” And it has made a distinction in how he walks into the constructing every day.
“It’s nonetheless making me need to get up daily in a superb temper, prepared to return to work,” Higgins informed ESPN in October. “It’s a superb feeling, bro.
“I’m not going to lie, final 12 months I did not really feel like this each single day. I are available in 1733776003 with an important angle.”
And it is translating to success on the sphere. Through the primary 13 weeks of final season, Higgins caught 55.6% of his targets and dropped 5.9% of them, in line with ESPN Research. This season, he has a catch charge of 64.2% with a 4.5% drop charge.
Still, there are areas he is aware of he can enhance on.
With free company looming, he is aware of what’s at stake for him if he can hold his massive season going.
“I ain’t going to say I’m attempting to have an ideal season to get a giant contract sooner or later,” Higgins stated. “I’m not saying that. I’m right here to assist my group win. And the remainder will handle itself.”
