CINCINNATI — It's taken a few years, but Tee Higgins realized a dream with his favorite childhood NFL team this week. The wide receiver dove into the double-signing with Ja'Marr Chase at the podium that locked in Cincinnati's offensive strength for years to come.
Higgins loved watching Chad Johnson growing up and he gets to chase Johnson's Bengals records more with 330 career catches for 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns across 62 starts.
"I grew up a Bengals fan, and to have the opportunity to sign a four-year deal with my favorite team that I grew up watching, that's a dream come true," Higgins noted on Tuesday. "And then once the announcement was out, my favorite player I grew up watching [Chad Johnson] congratulating me on that is even more crazy, so I couldn't be in a better place."
The 26-year-old stayed patient over the past few years in negotiations, and got his wish. Now, he has a complete offseason to train and focus on performing at peak powers entering the 2025 gauntlet.
"I never had any doubt that (agent) Rocky [Arceneaux] was gonna get it done, and I never had any doubt that, you know (Bengals executive VP) Katie [Blackburn] was going to finally, say, 'We want you here.' And just glad it happened, and I'm happy to be here."
Now, he and star quarterback Joe Burrow can continue building their chemistry along with Chase to try to set passing marks unforeseen in NFL history, while pursuing a Super Bowl along the way.
I’m getting emotional 🥲 https://t.co/2SRQnTusV8
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) March 18, 2025
