He actually did it. After years of trade rumors, franchise tag drama, and those cryptic Instagram posts that had half of New England and Carolina refreshing their feeds at 2 a.m., Tee Higgins stayed. He didn’t just stay; he signed a massive four-year, $115 million extension in March 2025 that keeps the "Big Three" together in Cincinnati through the prime of their lives.
Kinda wild, right?
Most people figured he was as good as gone. You don't usually see a team pay two wide receivers top-tier money, but the Bengals broke every rule in their own playbook to keep Joe Burrow’s favorite targets intact. Now, as we look toward the 2026 season, the narrative around Tee Higgins has shifted from "where will he go?" to "how high can he actually climb?"
Honestly, the 2025 season was a bit of a rollercoaster for Tee. He put up 846 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns despite missing some time. If you’re a fantasy manager, those double-digit scores were a godsend. But if you’re a film junkie, you saw a guy who has evolved. He isn't just the "jump ball guy" anymore.
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What the 2025 Stats Really Tell Us About Tee Higgins
Let’s get into the weeds for a second because the raw numbers don’t tell the whole story. Tee finished 2025 with 59 catches on 98 targets. At first glance, you might think, "Wait, only 59 catches?"
But look at the efficiency.
He averaged 14.3 yards per reception and became arguably the most dangerous red-zone threat in the AFC. His 11 touchdowns ranked second among all wide receivers in the league last year. He was basically Burrow’s "break glass in case of emergency" option.
- The Red Zone Jump: Higgins ranked 13th in red-zone receptions but 3rd in total touchdowns. That’s an insane conversion rate.
- Target Depth: His average depth of target (aDOT) sat at 13.9 yards. He’s winning downfield, not just on slants.
- The Health Factor: He played 15 games in 2025, a solid bounce-back after an injury-plagued 2024 where he only managed 12 games.
The Bengals' offense in 2025 remained one of the most pass-heavy units in the NFL. When you have Ja'Marr Chase drawing double coverage and a safety constantly leaning his way, Tee Higgins is playing 1-on-1 against a team's second-best corner. That is a mismatch 100% of the time.
The Contract That Shocked the League
The $28.75 million average annual value (AAV) on his new deal puts him right in the top 10 for wide receiver pay. It’s a fascinating bit of business. Most experts, including the cap gurus at Spotrac, expected the Bengals to let him walk to prioritize Ja'Marr Chase's record-breaking extension.
Instead, they did both.
Higgins’ 2026 cap hit is a hefty $26.75 million. The Bengals are essentially pushing their chips to the middle of the table for a two-to-three-year Super Bowl window. They’re betting that the chemistry between Burrow, Chase, and Higgins is worth more than the defensive depth they might lose by tying up so much cash in three players.
Higgins actually took a slightly lower AAV than he probably could have gotten on the open market—think Jacksonville or New England—just to stay in the Queen City. He wanted to "run it back," and for a guy who has already played in a Super Bowl, that ring remains the only missing piece of the puzzle.
A Quick Comparison: The Brian Thomas Jr. Factor
While we're talking about AFC wideouts, you've gotta mention Brian Thomas Jr. down in Jacksonville. His 2025 was the polar opposite of Higgins'. After a record-setting rookie year with 1,282 yards and 10 scores, Thomas hit a massive sophomore slump.
Thomas ended 2025 with just 707 yards and two touchdowns.
Why does this matter for Tee? Because it proves that being "The Guy" isn't always better than being the "1B." Thomas struggled with a wrist injury and a rotating door at quarterback between Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones. Meanwhile, Higgins thrived in a stable environment. It’s a reminder that situation often trumps raw talent in the NFL.
Why 2026 Could Be His Best Year Yet
If you’re looking for a breakout—or rather, a "re-breakout"—Higgins in 2026 is the prime candidate. He’s 27 years old, which is the traditional peak for wide receivers. He’s no longer looking over his shoulder at contract negotiations.
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The Bengals' schedule in 2026 looks favorable for the passing game, and with the emergence of some younger depth pieces, Tee might see even cleaner looks. He’s become a master of the back-shoulder fade, a route that is almost impossible to defend when Burrow is the one throwing it.
What You Should Watch For:
- First-Read Volume: Does Zac Taylor start utilizing Tee more in the early parts of the game? In 2025, he often had quiet first halves before exploding in the fourth quarter.
- Health Maintenance: Higgins has had some "lower body" stuff over the years. If he plays a full 17-game slate, 1,200 yards and 12+ TDs is the floor.
- The Chase Connection: Defenses are getting more creative in how they bracket Ja'Marr. Watch how Tee punishes teams that leave him on an island.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Managers
If you’re a Bengals fan, enjoy this. It’s rare to see a front office be this aggressive. If you're into fantasy or sports betting, here is how you should handle Tee Higgins moving forward:
- Dynasty Value: Hold. His value stabilized after the extension. He’s a high-end WR2 with WR1 weekly upside for at least the next three seasons.
- Redraft Strategy: He’s going to be a value pick. People often overvalue the "WR1" on a team and forget that Tee is essentially a WR1 playing a WR2 role.
- The "Double Stack": If you’re playing daily fantasy or betting season-long props, stacking Burrow and Higgins is often more cost-effective than stacking Burrow and Chase, with similar touchdown upside.
Tee Higgins has officially cemented his legacy in Cincinnati. He’s no longer the "other guy" in the shadow of Ja'Marr Chase; he’s a pillar of a franchise that is desperately chasing its first Lombardi Trophy. The drama is over, the contract is signed, and the only thing left to do is catch touchdowns.