What prompted Cincinnati to finally sign extensions with their WRs Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase? Was it Joe Burrow publicly demanding it, or something else? Whatever the reason was, the Bengals pulled the trigger on those long-awaited extensions last week. Cincy fans could not be any happier, and the celebrations were in full swing. The Bengals also dropped a video on their official X handle on Thursday, clapping back at anyone who doubted their ability to get deals done.
These deals are looking like a moment of victory, or so it seems. But here is where things get interesting: not everyone is buying into the hype. Analysts are digging into the details. And the reality of Tee Higgins’ $115 million deal might not be as shiny as it looks. So, is it truly a championship-worthy moment, or is there a reality check we need? Well, Mike Florio has got a lot to say about this ‘celebratory deal.’ Ever since the questions of Higgins getting an extension or not emerged, the WR made it clear that he wants to stay in Cincinnati.
Last year, the Bengals put a franchise tag on the 26-year-old. And initially, their plan this year was to put a franchise tag on for another year. But they ended up offering him an extension. Now, Mike Florio with Michael Holley broke down how Tee’s four-year $115 deal is way lower than he deserves. The duo discussed how the Bengals smartly played with the fact that Higgins wanted to stay with Cincy. “I guess you probably shouldn’t let the people know you’re trying to make a deal with how badly you want to be there. You kind of want to remove yourself from the situation. Let a representative speak for you and at least plant some seeds of doubt,” says Holley.
The reporter notes that the Bengals are trying to look like heroes in this situation, portraying that they signed their two top WRs. But that’s what the good teams do. “The reason you have this celebratory video is that it took your quarterback, who didn’t believe you could do it (to get the deals done)…The only reason it’s a thing is because the Cincinnati Bengals made it a thing,” added Michael.
Now, about the Higgins $115 million contract, here is why it is not exactly a lucrative deal for the WR.
Tee Higgins’ contract: All hype, no shine?
Here is a situation Mike Florio presented. Suppose the Bengals put a franchise tag on Tee this year as well. The WR would have pocketed $26.16 million fully guaranteed, and he would have had the option of hitting free agency the next year. Cincinnati would not have put another franchise tag on him the next year, which means Tee could have been in free agency, and some team might have signed him for a much bigger deal than what the Bengals locked him into. Cincy here leveraged the fact that he genuinely wanted to be with the team. Florio believes that it is a calculated move by the Bengals’ front office.
Higgins traded a $26.16 million franchise tag for a four-year, $115 million contract, and his new deal comes with strings attached. In the 26-year-old’s new deal, only $10 million is fully guaranteed in 2026. The Bengals can walk away after 2025 without paying any more. This is where the Cincy front office played smart. Higgins’ new deal is like a one-year trial worth $35.9 million; if the WR stays healthy and performs, he pockets money. If he does not, Cincinnati cancels the deal. That’s right, those are some of the clauses team owner Mike Brown added to Tee’s contract.
Now compare Higgins’ deal to his fellow WR Ja’Marr Chase. He inked a four-year deal worth $161 million, and Chase’s contract has $73.9 million guaranteed money. So, while Chase locked in a rock-solid deal, Higgins’ contract is more of a ‘try-before-you-buy’ situation. Well, now that analysts are providing a reality check on the WR2’s contract, some fans may reconsider glorifying this deal.
But from a short-sighted, 2025-season-only perspective, things certainly look exciting for the Bengals!
The post National Reporter Destroys Bengals Celebrating Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase’s Extension as Truth About $115M Deal Surfaces appeared first on EssentiallySports.
