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Steelers Face Stiff Competition for Tee Higgins, Even if He Leaves Bengals
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- Steelers Face Stiff Competition for Tee Higgins, Even if He Leaves Bengals
If he gets there, Tee Higgins will likely attract a good bit of attention on the open market . That doesn't rule out the Pittsburgh Steelers as being in the mix to woo him.
According to odds posted by sportsbetting.ag, the Steelers have the third-best chances to sign Higgins, at 5-to-1. The Denver Broncos (3/1) lead the pack with the Washington Commanders (4/1) following. Others include the Los Angeles Chargers (6/1), New England Patriots (7/1), Tennessee Titans (9/1), and Buffalo Bills (10/1).
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Tee Higgins has the ability to be a franchise receiver, but has played in Ja'Marr Chase's shadow during most of his time in Cincinnati . The Bengals have targeted Higgins at least 100 times in four of his five seasons with the team. He played for Cincy under the franchise tag this go-round and put up 911 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 73 receptions.
The Bengals could tag him again, but also have to concern themselves with deals for Chase and NFL sack champion Trey Hendrickson . ESPN's Adam Schefter wrote Tuesday that Chase could command nearly $40 million per season, but that hefty payday could pave the way to keep Tee Higgins in the Queen City.
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins during a game on Dec. 1, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
"The Bengals have approximately $46 million of salary cap space," Schefter said. "How they allocate it will help define this and future seasons for the franchise. If they sign Chase to his record deal, it could include a large signing bonus and a low 2025 base salary, giving him a team-friendly cap number for this coming season that would help with Higgins."
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Analysts expect the Steelers to import a receiver or two before next season. Oddsmakers have also linked them to disgruntled San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel and the New York Jets ' Davante Adams . Adams will likely want out of his situation with quarterback Aaron Rodgers being told the Jets are moving on .
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