NFL Legend Says Bengals Messed Up With Tee Higgins’ Signing After Dejected WR’s Much-Deserved Extension

The NFL offseason hums like a midnight poker game in Vegas—bluffs, bets, and the clink of chips echoing through smoke-filled rooms. In Cincinnati, the Bengals have always played their cards close, folding when others went all-in. But this summer, they shoved their stack to the center, betting big on a pair of aces: Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. The table gasped. So did Keyshawn Johnson.

Remember the ’80s Bengals? Cris Collinsworth leaping over defenders in striped helmets, Boomer Esiason’s cannon arm lighting up Riverfront Stadium. Those teams danced on the edge of glory but never clinched the ring. Decades later, the remnants of the Paul Brown era still whisper thrift over splurge. But…

Cincinnati’s front office, once tighter than a Midwest farmer’s wallet, now splashes cash like Wall Street on a bonus day. Old habits die hard—but $275 million for Joe Burrow? $161 million for Chase? A $115 million encore for Tee Higgins? The Queen City’s playing a new tune.

On June 15, the Bengals locked Higgins into a four-year, $115 million deal, silencing his franchise-tag limbo. Chase’s record-breaking $161 million extension followed, making him the NFL’s best paid non-QB. But not everyone cheered.

“I didn’t really expect for them to get Tee Higgins done,” said Keyshawn Johnson, his voice sharp as a halftime critique. “I thought the smart play and the smart spending of the money would have been to move him because he’s got value.” Johnson’s right. Cincinnati’s receiver payroll now rivals the GDP of a small island nation. Yet here we are.

Joe Burrow, the symphony’s conductor, had lobbied hard. His 2024 MVP-caliber season (4,918 yards, 43 TDs) proved Higgins’ worth—even on one leg. But financial harmony? The Bengals’ defense bled points last year (25th in yards allowed), and Trey Hendrickson’s contract stalemate looms.

Paying two receivers top dollar feels like buying a Ferrari while your roof leaks. Yet Cincinnati’s fanbase, weary of “moneyball” excuses, finally sees commitment. Besides, Cincinnati’s gamble hinges on health and hope.

Burrow’s knees (and wrist), Higgins’ hamstrings, Chase’s swagger—all must hold. The defense? Still a question mark. Hendrickson’s $16 million salary screams underpayment, and the draft offers scant relief (just four picks). Yet for Bengals fans, this feels different. No more “next year” promises. This is now.

Tee Higgins’ leverage masterclass: How a Wideout played the long game

Higgins’ extension wasn’t just deserved—it was chess. Last winter, he hired Rocky Arceneaux, Chase’s agent, and dropped an ultimatum: No Higgins, no Chase. Arceneaux, smoother than a Kentucky bourbon, knew Burrow’s clout would crack the Bengals’ piggybank. “Masterful,” tweeted Ari Meirov. The result?

Higgins secured $57.5 million guaranteed as a WR2—a first for a franchise allergic to long-term promises. Chase’s deal, meanwhile, reset the market. His $40.3 million/year average dwarfs Justin Jefferson’s $35 million, a gap wider than the Ohio River. But Higgins’ stats—330 catches, 34 TDs in five seasons—painted him as Robin to Chase’s Batman. Until now. “Hats off to them,” Johnson admitted. “They already spending it.”

As the sun sets on Paycor Stadium, echoes of Hemingway linger: “The way to make money is to buy when blood is running in the streets.” The Bengals, once penny-pinchers, are all-in. But in a league where tomorrow’s cap hit is today’s problem, one wonders: Can a tiger really change its stripes?

Keyshawn’s skepticism mirrors a league-wide debate: Pay stars or build depth? For Cincinnati, the answer’s clear. Burrow’s arm, Higgins’ hands, Chase’s speed—this trio could rewrite history. Or crumble under the weight of expectation. As Hunter S. Thompson mused, “Buy the ticket, take the ride.” The Bengals bought theirs. Now, we ask: Will this ride end in confetti… or chaos?