This may be the Cincinnati Bengals‘ best chance to compete for a Super Bowl in the Joe Burrow era.
After all, Burrow returns fully healthy as the NFL preseason makes its way into the second week, the star quarterback has yet another year of familiarity with superstar wide receiver Ja’marr Chase, and it could very well be the last ride for Tee Higgins in a Bengals uniform.
The AFC North is going to be a gauntlet, as always, and the Bengals will need to find a way to exorcise the demon that is Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
However, if early returns are any indication of what might be to come for the Bengals in 2024, one star player seems primed for one of his most explosive seasons to date.
Tee Higgins Going Out With a Bang for Cincinnati Bengals?
Higgins is slated to play out the upcoming season on the franchise tag, and if history is any indication, he will likely be playing elsewhere in 2025. After all, the Bengals have never brought back a player beyond their tagged year after failing to reach a long-term contract extension before that season’s deadline to do so.
During joint practices this summer with the Chicago Bears, Higgins showed out, according to Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker.
“Higgins regularly generated separation against the Bears’ defensive backs,” Locker writes for PFF. “Although he wasn’t lined up consistently against Jaylon Johnson (more on him in a second). The wideout secured two catches over the middle of the field against zone coverage and also tacked on a productive curl route down the right side, proving a viable pass-catcher in the intermediate area.
“As the 25-year-old plays the 2024 season on the franchise tag, Higgins will be looking to return to dominant form after an injury-marred 2023 season. He got off to a solid start in just 10 snaps against the Tampa Buccaneers in Cincy’s preseason opener — posting a 77.2 receiving grade — and Thursday seemed a step in the right direction, minus a few drops.”
The fact that Higgins and Burrow are already back on the same page, thanks to the pair connecting on a touchdown in the exhibition opener, has to be encouraging for the Bengals’ offense moving forward into the regular season.
Higgins battled through a fractured rib and a hamstring injury last season, while catching 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns in just 12 games while also navigating wildly inconsistent quarterback play throughout the 2023 campaign.
If Burrow and Higgins can both stay healthy and effective, the Bengals’ offense could have the makings of one of the more explosive in the NFL this fall.
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