“Catch every day like it’s a game-winning pass” The NFL drama is as thick as ever in Cincinnati. Wide receiver Tee Higgins is teetering on the edge of free agency with the new league year set to kick off on March 12. The Bengals are scrambling to decide whether to extend, franchise tag, or let him hit the open market. Tee’s 2024 campaign was one for the highlight reels—73 rec for 911 yds over just 12 games (even with five games sidelined by injuries) and a career-high 10 TDs, including an epic overtime game-winner against the Broncos where he hauled in 11 rec for 131 yds and 3 TDs.

Meanwhile, defensive end Trey Hendrickson, fresh off leading the NFL with 17.5 sacks (including a standout 3.5-sack performance in the Bengals’ narrow 19-17 win over the Steelers on Jan 4, 2025), isn’t holding back his thoughts on both the contract mess and team roles. Amidst all the contract debates and the balancing act of roster and cap considerations, things aren’t always as straightforward as they seem. And Hendrickson’s candid locker-room commentary adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Trey on Tee Higgins’ Role: A Playmaker’s Perspective

Hendrickson’s mind is as sharp off the field as it is on it. Recalling the dynamic where Tee’s current role doesn’t quite mirror his talent, he put it bluntly: “Can’t say enough about, like, you know, Joe, Jamar, and Tee. And, you know, specifically Tee, you know, because there’s a lot going on in his situation as well. I mean, for a guy to take that kind of a role where on 31 other teams, he’s gonna be wide receiver one. And then here, he’s accepting a role in wide receiver two.”

This observation isn’t just locker-room chatter; it’s a wake-up call about how sometimes the best talents are asked to play a secondary role, even when their game is primed for the spotlight. Hendrickson continued his candid breakdown by noting, “I think it’s a very, I think it’s a very oh, you know, maybe a similar role.” When you consider Tee’s stat line—from his Super Bowl LVI performance where he scored two TDs to his career-high game against the Ravens with 12 rec for 194 yds—the case for giving him a full-time starring role is hard to ignore.

Hendrickson’s insight is reminiscent of those classic sports movie moments where a coach or veteran tells the rising star, “You’ve got to step up to the plate,” echoing lines from TV dramas that remind us of the beauty and brutality of the game. With a playful yet serious nod to team strategy, Hendrickson pressed on: “Well, you gotta give him a shot at wide receiver one first. Let him, let him be receiver one first.”

He’s not just throwing out opinions—he’s calling for an experiment that could unlock untapped potential. Much like a plot twist in an underdog story where the quiet guy suddenly shines on the big stage. The Bengals’ five-game winning streak to close out the season (despite a 9-8 overall record) might have been the prelude to something bigger, and Tee Higgins stepping into the primary role could be that catalyst.

“And then let’s see where the chips go because he’s a monster. He would be one a shot at wide receiver one for a season. Let’s see how it all plays out if it does or if, if it doesn’t.” Hendrickson’s appreciation for Tee’s skills is clear when he adds, “He’s gone crazy. So I’m just saying, like, I respect his game. I respect that he’s very humble. I think he’s a great guy. Same thing with Ja’Marr, you know, for how he handled adversity as well. Tremendous respect around.”

In a league where every snap tells a story, Hendrickson’s call for giving Tee Higgins a proper chance is both a testament to his talent and a sly reminder that sometimes the unconventional choice pays off—like a well-timed twist from the Seven.

Contract Woes and Personal Stakes: Hendrickson Gets Candid

Switching gears faster than an NFL blitz, Hendrickson doesn’t shy away from dropping truth bombs about the financial side of the game. “It’s hard to win a Super Bowl, dude. Well, look. It’s, it’s a kinda—there’s a couple of things that you wanna, like, you know, you have to separate the business and the personal, you know, like, with my wife and my family. You know, we’re looking for, like, long term security guarantees.” Here, he lays it out like a veteran telling a rookie, reminding everyone that playing a violent sport isn’t just about the glory on the field—it’s about ensuring your loved ones are taken care off it.

Reflecting on his own journey—from his 2019 NFL season opener with the New Orleans Saints (where in a thrilling Monday night showdown against the Houston Texans, his timely tackles and a key sack helped secure a 30-28 win) to becoming a cornerstone for the Bengals—the weight of the contract discussions is palpable. ‘

“Those kind of things matter when you’re playing a violent sport. And when you take the risk, we talked about it last year, with the front office and things like that, and I have nothing but respect for them. They’ve taken care of my family beyond my wildest dreams.” His path, which saw him rock special teams at L3 back in 2019 before exploding onto the scene, is a reminder that loyalty and hard work are the true currencies in the NFL.

Yet, even as he praises the front office for looking out for his family, Hendrickson remains resolute about the need for fair treatment. “You know, I continue to chop wood, like I said, continue the hard work that the Lord has put on my heart and, you know, let the chips fall where they will.” It’s a line that echoes the ethos of every underdog story—keep grinding, keep believing, and let fate handle the rest. His candor brings a touch of that classic American grit, mixing raw emotion with the business acumen that only a true veteran can display.

The Bengals are still in a bit of a pickle: while Tee’s been a key offensive weapon since his second-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft (after signing a rookie deal worth $8.6m with a $3.9m bonus), his future now hangs in the balance. The franchise tag on him last year brought in a fully guaranteed one-year deal valued at $21.81m, but reports suggest he could soon command a staggering ~$30m per year—potentially outshining DeVonta Smith’s three-year, $75m contract.

Whether it’s negotiating Tee Higgins’ potential extension or securing his own future with a base salary of $15.8m (with a cap hit of $18.67m in 2025), Hendrickson’s message is crystal clear: talent and hard work demand respect, and off the field.