Tee Higgins’ days in Cincinnati might be numbered.
The star wide receiver and the Bengals are far apart on contract extension talks, and his long-term future with the franchise is in question, according to a report from the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Higgins will likely play this season without a long-term deal with the team unless something “shocking” happens before Sunday, per the Enquirer.
On Friday, Higgins said that he “hopes” contract talks pick up, but he has “no clue” what the future holds as far as his contract status goes.
“My job is just to come in every day and do what I do best, just work, and catch the ball from No. 9 [Joe Burrow],” Higgins said, according to CBS Sports.
Teammate and fellow wideout Tyler Boyd said Higgins “got the short end of the stick” in negotiations with the team.
“He’s worth a lot,” Boyd continued. “They have to come up with some type of agreement. I hope they get something done over the next couple weeks. It relieves stress and has you more comfortable out there.”
The 24-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the Bengals.
Higgins has proven to be one of the best young pass catchers in the NFL since being drafted by Cincinnati in the second round of the 2020 draft, topping 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first two seasons.
But Higgins is decidedly the Bengals’ wide receiver No. 2 behind Ja’Marr Chase, who is contract extension-eligible after the 2023 season.
The report comes just days after the Bengals made star quarterback Joe Burrow the highest-paid play-caller in NFL history with a five-year extension worth $275 million and $219 million guaranteed.
It’s not the first time Higgins has found himself on shaky grounding with the team.
Earlier this offseason, Higgins was rumored to be on the trade block, although team executive Dick Tobin shot them down.
“If they want a receiver, go find your own,” Tobin said in February, per ESPN. “In my opinion, Tee Higgins is a good piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. The trade stuff is a little ridiculous right now.”