The Bengals have again made wide receiver Tee Higgins their franchise free agent in a bid to keep intact an offense coming off the most prolific season in club history.
The Bengals tendered him a one-year deal Monday in excess of $26 million after he caught a personal-best 10 touchdowns last season while playing on the tag. They have up until July 15 to reach a multi-year deal with Higgins as he heads into his sixth season, climbing up the Bengals all-time lists.
The Bengals said they made the move "with the intent of continuing to work toward a long-term deal in Cincinnati."
Despite missing five games last season, he racked up 911 yards on 73 catches for the NFL's No. 1 pass offense to become the 10th Bengal receiver with at least 4,500 yards, 330 catches and 34 touchdowns.
"He's a warrior," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor last season. "He's fighting through a lot and he just keeps rolling out there and keeps winning these one-on-ones."
Their first draft pick after the Bengals took Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall choice of the 2020s, the 6-4 Higgins has become a Paycor Stadium favorite with his monstrous catch radius. Each grab is followed by a robust chant of "Tee-ee---eee," that follows him on the road.
His piece de resistance came in last year's Paycor finale with the Bengals needing to beat the red-hot Broncos to stay alive for the playoffs. Higgins responded with 131 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, the last a three-yarder that won it on a play he set up with a highlight-clip-over-the-shoulder catch while tiptoeing the sideline for 31 yards.
"Everybody can see what kind of player he is," said Burrow, one of his biggest supporters, after the game. "He elevates us to a different level when he's playing like that."
Higgins has a big-game rep. Six of his 14 career 100-yard games have been in December. Three years ago, he had 103 yards in the AFC Championship win in Kansas City and followed it up with 100 more in the Super Bowl.
The Bengals said last week they also are working on long-term deals for All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson.
See the best shots from Bengals WR Tee Higgins from the 2024 season
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrates after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Cincinnati, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
WR Tee Higgins scores a touchdown in Week 7 against the Browns, Sunday, October 20, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, in Cincinnati. Ravens defeated the Bengals 41-38. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
WR Tee Higgins jukes a defender against the Giants in Week 6, Sunday, October 13, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrates his touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
WR Tee Higgins arrives at SoFi Stadium ahead of the Bengals Week 11 Sunday Night Football matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, November 17, 2024.
WR Tee Higgins makes a catch against the Chargers in Los Angeles, Sunday, November 17, 2024.
WR Tee Higgins catches a pass against the Steelers in Week 13 at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, December 1, 2024.
WR Tee Higgins scores a touchdown in Week 17 against the Broncos at Paycor Stadium, Saturday, December 28, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) scores a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, November 17, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Ryan Kang/NFL)
WR Tee Higgins catches a deep ball on the sideline in overtime against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024.
WR Tee Higgins walks out of the tunnel ahead of Week 18 against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, Saturday, January 4, 2025.
WR Tee Higgins celebrates a catch in Week 16 against the Browns at Paycor Stadium, Sunday, December 22, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrates a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, December 15, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Kevin Sabitus/NFL)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates with wide receiver Tee Higgins (5), and wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, December 9, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Perry Knotts/NFL)
