The Bengals can afford to keep Tee Higgins

[@UbuntuJ49]

Tatum & Brown just gave a great lesson to the Bengals. Pay what makes your franchise go!

[@ShinefortheCam]

Facts

[@ShinefortheCam]

Yes Higgins, chase, & joe burrow make the Bengals a mismatch

[@louiseregan2498]

Solly, I never believed the line being spouted by the Bengals' front office... The line: We can't afford paying Tee Higgins; we have to pay Chase! Two years earlier, we can't afford Jesse Bates; we have to pay Joe. Never bought either of those lines. Did a similar breakdown of finances to your breakdown when they tagged Jesse Bates. I was asked on line if I was Jesse Bates' mother? Boy, I wish I were! So I'm glad you've come out in support of Tee and the fact the team CAN afford to pay him! Look at all the leadership the front office has been responsible for forcing out the door. My argument, they can afford these "star" players, but they rather put the money in other places than into the TEAM! In my thinking, that's where the money should go first into retaining KEY players. Consequently, because the front office has other priorities rather than keeping talent, look at the talent that's walked: Bates, Reader, Bell, Perrine, Boyd, Hurst and Awuizie. Unfortunately, Trey Hendrickson is also looking at the door together with Tee. The powers-to-be have no concept of how they are affecting morale! None. Additionally, they are affecting the PLAY of the team! How did the defensive secondary do over the last couple of years after the Bates catastrophe? They have had major problems recruiting replacements for star talent. Over two years, they've brought in approximately 3 to 4 players to replace the holes created by losing Bates! Where were the savings? The front office has no concept who Tee is and his importance to the team. Well, the Chiefs know and they are watching! If people like you Solly speak the truth, just maybe we've got a chance of keeping caliber of players like Tee! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

[@kagcd43]

Right on! Bengals media coming together I do enjoy all the conversation

[@Rlball2003]

I don't think anyone is saying they can't do it. Its more that people are saying they won't, and/or, shouldn't do it. Yes the Eagles have paid alot for QB and WR1 and 2, but its yet to be seen if that is smart. The Eagles have been really good the last few years but as they have to pay other players someone will eventually have to go because of the money they dumped into those 3. Id rather the Bengals spend the money of their cap how ever they think will field them the best team. Maybe that is paying Tee and Chase, and keeping Burrow happy and productive and leaning into an all out pass attack. However I think the smarter approach is to keep chase, and let Tee walk after this year. 2 reasons why I think its smarter to let tee walk. First reason being the Bengals have drafted WR as well if not better than any other team. Even back in the 90's they did well, but really since the early 00's with Johnson and TJ, and then Green, Boyd, now Tee and Chase. I expect the younger guys to continue impressing. They clearly know how to draft and spot WR that fit what they want and will work out. They have done it at all levels of the draft for years. So im more than fine trusting all the younger guys that got and keeping chase. Spend that money on D and making sure the line is good, because their judgement in lineman has been sus for a long time. They have only filled most of the holes in free agency but it looks like Mims might bust that trend finally. I'll trust Duke and Katies plans what ever they end up being. I know people love Tee but putting that much money in 2 players is dangerous, because of injury and there are so many spots that money could be better used on a room that is already so stacked. Look at KC, they have continued to win and they cloud have dished out huge money to Hill, but they let him get his bag in Miami. Turned out to be fine, because all they did is go win 2 more SB. Id rather the Bengals win than make the sexy move that short sighted fans want to see. Who wants Tee to leave? Id rather them field the best team every year than just keep around players I like to watch in a few spots. Chase, Burton, Iosivas, Jones. That is still by far the best room in the AFCN, and more than enough. Tee will cost more like 28mil also not 20, he is at 21 on the tag and not happy.

[@madladnate]

Tee is amazing.

[@diamondrg3556]

I want the Bengals to have enough cap to pay a good defense and lines. If they can do that and keep Tee, great! If not, I want the Def and Lines more.

[@bengalbrown2834]

Exactly

[@breezeb8720]

Solly, You have to be the most underrated sports broadcaster out there. An all-time great!

[@villain68]

Wish he was still calling games

[@bryanturner4686]

2 of the best Bengals KZbinrs out there, thank you for the discussion. I love Tee. However, Higgins has benefited from being placed in a great situation (great QB and pass heavy offense). The difference between Higgins and Pittman is 2 fold, one Pittman is WR1 on his team and two Higgins in on a team that already has a clear WR1. Look at what WR2 is making in Minnesota. In addition, Tee's agent does not negotiate he dictates and Mike Brown and Katie Blackburn don't play that way. I hope Tee has an amazing year and leaves here with a Championship ring on his finger. I'd love to keep him but Bengals' 2023 operating revenue was $104 M vs Philadelphia's operating revenue of $187 M. There are differences between large and small market teams. Who Dey!

[@ShinefortheCam]

Can't agree. Higgins is 6'5 220 & a jump ball specialist. We are a mismatch because of him , chase & joe. Teams fear us when all 3 are healthy

[@bryanturner4686]

@@ShinefortheCam I love Tee too. Who Dey!

[@samuellogan4313]

Tee needs to have a complete season. Last season wasn't a 20 million dollar performance.

[@NathanDean79]

Tee is a stand up guy. He is one of this leagues premier WRs. I believe than Tee and Chase are both going to fucking go off this year!! I’m predicting 1500+ and 20 tds for Chase and 1300 and 10+ tds for Tee. And also for Mike Gesicki I’m predicting 700+ yards and 7+ tds. Burrow is going to have well over 5000 passing yards and 45-50 touchdowns. And Burton is going to have a good year so is Iosivas and Jones too. All of them will have at least 2 tds. I think Charlie Jones is going to make the Pro Bowl or All Pro team as a return specialist. He is really really good at that. We just haven’t had anyone even remotely like him returning since Brandon Wilson. Remember him? He was good always liked him.

[@adamsummers8182]

they COULD do it but that's not smart. with burrow here the front office has 2 tasks...build a top 5 OL and and a top 10 defense. those tasks take money.

[@ShinefortheCam]

They aint gon build a top 5 oline or dline tho. They're lazy

[@ironmanxrp4980]

They could build the line thru the draft process but they have failed to do it... so while I agree they need to build a respectable oline they should have not missed in the draft on linemen... we got to the superbowl with a bottom tir line and was one block away from winning it... yes they need better line play but the line needs cohesiveness and not switching players around or new guys every year. (Draft picks are a different story im talking FA guys we are trying to plugin and fix things) This year 4 of 5 returning and Trent brown while he's and upgrade and has played a lot of ball has his knocks injury prone and missed a lot of games.. Mims is a rookie, a massive rookie, but I'm excited to see him cut his teeth as well.. the eagles did it.. the oline paid the qb and both wr1 and 2... we say we want to win but thr front office doesn't go all in...

[@ZeitdiebX]

Correct, Solly. But you gotta admit, the money is spiraling out of control. Player A waits for Player B to get paid. Player A gets 50 million, Player B thinks he’s just as good. Demands 55. Same thing again next year. Crazy. And those numbers are not healthy.

[@maanaspisati9315]

the cap continues to go up every year and those increases offset the rise in position markets

[@schneids4294]

Whole league is up and to the right 📈

[@natej84]

They can afford it cap wise, but only if they do the cap maneuvers that the browns and eagles do, multiple void years, guaranteed money into future years, moving cap space into signing bonus which requires more money into escrow. I have no idea if Mike Brown has the cash on hand for that or not? Either way it always comes back to bite those teams, see the saints. The saints did these cap maneuvers while brees was there and now they've been paying for it bc they've been fielding teams with $30m+ less money on the field, bc that cap space is going to former players. The cap space growth will slow down in a few years when the new TV deals are in the middle years

[@charlesh1735]

I think the Bengals could have negotiated a two year extension for Tee Higgins before the new year started. A two year,42 million dollars guaranteed with two year 46 million dollar deal.

[@Mark-bf5bq]

Sign him Bengals!

[@brokenarrowoutdoors2467]

I love solly but come on man. They have a short window to make enough money to retire! One year and they could retire!!!! I hate how the media tries to spin it and make us believe that they really need that amount of money so we don’t bitch about how much tickets cost for us ordinary folks. I’m happy for Joe and his family but come on man!

[@johnkammer4754]

Your 100 percent correct,Soli!!!

[@lmelty71]

Bengals n Higgins fan here. Higgins deserves the money so he needs to go to get his worth. It’s business. Will root for him at his new team just as I did for Whitworth, Bernard, Palmer, Justin Smith, etc. Solomon, can’t Higgins get more than 20m somewhere else?

[@ShinefortheCam]

U won't root for tee if he goes to the steelers or rat birds or chiefs. Because they are going to tryna get him

[@AVplumber]

Who Dey!

[@NathanDean79]

Burrow will at least play as long as Drew Brees did. 20 years.

[@HoldenBroussard]

Yeah its not about being able to do it ! its about if that's how you should allocate your resources and if that's smart do it I say no

[@ronwright3324]

Exactly!

[@ShinefortheCam]

But where are they putting that money ? Into average players? They like to Flea market shop. Instead of getting top players. They never go all the way. It's why we're still ringless. They never do enough to help the stars.

[@bengalbrown2834]

No it’s not true Solly. But what is true is that if you sign Higgins you sacrifice 2 starting interior lineman. Or you sacrifice a premium pass rusher. Or you sacrifice a premium corner… So sure we could sign Higgins. But whatever you pay him you’re not paying someone else. I’d rather them pay lineman then pay a second receiver.

[@rmersmannsr]

I agree they could do it. But 3 players eating almost 50% of cap really hurts. Let's say couple others make 20 mil so that's 40 so you have 100 mil left to spread for other players. If you miss a draft like they did a couple times not long ago you will be screwed. But I hope they keep tee. A plus human in my book

[@ChrisBruggeman-ie6rf]

Restructure contracts until the NFL increases the salary cap, which is in the works plus adding another game to the season--18 games!

[@scottyb3511]

Glad you said this without getting attacked by the naysayers. I cant. I say the same and out come the attack naysayers. Been attacked for too much $$$ on offense. Missed a good chance to sign $$$ on defense for much less then TH will get with Bates III. FO still operating 20-30 years in arrears of the forward thinking clubs. How they handle the FAs in house and out were how progressive teams did 30 years ago. Bang for your buck (isnt all bad).

[@bengalsfandom623]

Tee deserves the security of a longer term contract. Tee shouldn't need a contract year, that's just Bengals Front Office talk... Tee has had contract years almost every year... last year Tee played w cracked ribs and in past years Tee played w high ankle, concussion, torn shoulder labrum for most of 2021 & got surgery after the super bowl Still a factor is that the Bengals don't bring in the money many other teams do & can use to pay players in such a way that bypasses the salary cap Per Forbes, Eagles made $100M more than the Bengals in 2022 (2023 isn't out yet) Cowboys made $500M more Chiefs made $40M more Bengals made less than 30 other teams AFTER going to super bowl and back to back AFCCGs... SO even after their revenue was higher than normal they still made less than every team except the Lions (who hadn't won a playoff game in 30 yrs and only made a couple Million less than Bengals)

[@tesilab994]

We love Tee, but bengals do better with drafting WR than they do with other critical spots like the OL, and Trent Brown and Amarius Mims aside, the interior line needs help. If Joe gets more protection and the OL opens up a real running threat, they’ll do great with lesser receivers. So spend it on a guard.

[@timbowslice8535]

Sully these ads every 30 seconds are killing us

[@NOC1TIME]

Can't afford not to keep Tee. If they want to not only goto the show but win it. Depth depth depth. Late and post season. No replacing it. Who Dey all dey

[@scottmartin6612]

Paying almost 1/2 of the cap on 3 players is ridiculous

[@jimbotarkinton]

As fans of the good guys/gals in pro sports, we should especially want top dollar for him and his family. When in the history of the NFL has the WR2 gotten WR1 money?

[@TrendSettaRico]

There's a way for multi players to be paid (mind you they all are already rich) and for the team to be competitive for the long haul. Without question we are hands down better with Tee, Chase and Burrow so they all should have a long-term contract especially while not even in their prime but this bs narrative that it has to be market reseting money is the dumbest shit ever. Yeah deals have already been done, expectations have already been made but winning (which is a lot easier with more top talent on the team) should be the focus because I truly believe we can win multiple if we have a roster of talent with multiple main guys that has proved to be better than most. So much emphasis on making rich people even richer but not on winning and that's why the Patriots will remain the top of the mountain until the focus gets on we don't have to be the market and by winning we'll make more money anyway from all the media and endorsement attention. If Chase gets 30 and Tee gets 24-25, we will have a top offense for years to come. Who Dey

[@sleazym9685]

We know that Joe doesn’t have to do it but he can and if they don’t have enough to pay Tee he one of the people that knows and we all know that the Bengals will ask if they have to but it all comes down to cap space and only Joe knows if he would consider that if Tee gives him the best chance to win a championship he may consider that all facts and the best quarterback you mentioned Tom did what he needed to get his championships more than once it’s all about the guaranteed money when it comes to Tee agent and at the end of the day it’s all up to Tee so the Bengals should have made a offer before the tag signing some players make the decision to stay with the team if given a chance and if he wants the same contract as Jamar may be it can happen there both good players but Jamar has a little more speed and ball tracking and if we want to compete we have to have some money for other players we know that

[@travlite8496]

You also have to take in that TEE is injured every year I don't think Tobin is gonna give him that much money knowing he's been hurt almost every year,unlike Joe being injured because of NO o - line and 2 freak injury's he will play every game now that they know he's got to be protected.

[@ironmanxrp4980]

Just remember lavernius coles... when we didn't bring back TJ... the offense stunk...

[@DexMix79]

Come on Sol, you know good and well that Tee’s contract is going to be closer to 30 than 20. Word is 20 was offered to him already and it was a “lowball”

[@swiss954]

A nfk player does not have to a shirt life earnings. He can work after his career in the nfl just like us common folk

[@mr.gunsglore7670]

Solly!!! Why is nobody bringing up that WHEN JOE SIGNED HIS CONTRACT…?! That it was said that he left enuff meat on the bone to sign chase and tee??? Riddle me this????

[@rebeccamowen7516]

It might be my imagination, I've never seen everyone worry bout any team so much as cincinnati bengals and the ones last year saying Tees a panther telling him to leave the bengals True Fans want what's best for Tee 🎉❤🎉😊😂

[@NathanDean79]

The salary cap is not 244 million this year. It is 255.4 million dollars. Just a little slip up. It’s been estimated to go up to around 282 million within the next year or two. In 2027 is supposed to be about 315 million a year. So yea they could pay Tee Higgins 24-26 million a year and Chase 35 a year and Burrow. But the reason the Eagles could do that is because they added all these void years onto these contracts and that can come back to bite you. The Bengals are VERY good about managing their finances. They will pay top dollar for talent. If Tee Higgins would have taken around 20-21 million a year I think he would already be under contract. But he is right that he is a better player than Michael Pitman and I heard that Tee wanted something like he got. Pittman is from the same draft class as Tee and hasn’t produced quite as much as Tee. Pittman signed a 3 year 70 million dollar deal. That’s 23.33 mil a year. I would be comfortable signing Tee to a 3 year 75 mil deal that’s 25 mil a year. And Chase I would sign him for about 100 grand MORE than Justin Jefferson got just so he can have bragging rights because Chase and Jefferson are dear friends but they like to mess with each other. I would sign Chase up for 4 years that would mean the next 6 years he is a Bengal. Tee is only 25 he won’t be 26 until January so this is his age 25 season and a 3 year deal would keep him under contract for the next 3 years. Basically they take that franchise tag and tear it up. Tee has played out his rookie deal so his 3 year contract starts immediately that means he will be 27 or 28 when the contact expires and hey he is still young and can sign another huge deal probably with another team by then. And I think if we keep Ter here for 3 more years we win a couple of Super Bowls. Look at Calvin Ridley he is 29 and just signed a massive, overpay, deal with the Titans. Tee will be 28 and a hot commodity once again. There are no other WRs we are going to need to pay in the next 3 years. Maybe in 3 years Tee goes somewhere else and we pay Charlie Jones or Iosivas a long term deal. Ideally this is what you want to happen.

[@mdemartino71]

Exactly do what eagles are doing, pay both receivers!!

[@user-pv1yx5dq6l]

Real question is should they keep him Say Burton balls out and gets at least 600 yards. Then let Higgins go after tag and trade, then sign 2 good players in place of Higgins money.

[@ronwright3324]

Just because the Bengals can do it doesn’t mean they should. Love Tee Higgins though

[@druzzle27]

hey i live close to siesta key

[@travlite8496]

How are they gonna pay TEE and Chase i just don't see Katy even doing such a thing!

[@daedaejones5908]

But how is the money spread throughout the rest of the Eagles team... yall never compare that part..

[@timarmstrong2338]

Tee is getting 21 million this year as a tagged player, how much does he need to stay a Bengal. Between the three players your talking about will there be anything left to keep quality players on the rest of the team.

[@josephmann8694]

Extend Tee and tag Chase 🤷‍♂️

[@zacharybailey977]

Theoretically yes we could pay Jamaar $30 million and Tee $20 million except Tee is pushing for the higher end of $20 million. And do we really think the best way to build a team is by sinking about 50% of the cap into 3 players on one side of the ball? I’d rather pay quality edge rushers and other defenders. The Tom Brady patriots never had the league’s top paid receiver let alone two of the top paid receivers. Tom made average receivers better just like Burrow can do. Give him a line and a defense we don’t have to outgun everyone.

[@bigshys]

TY CAUSE Y DO BURROW NEED TO GIVE BACK

[@Naomi-l6t]

24m

[@NathanDean79]

LOL yea Tee Higgins is WAY better than Jerry Jeudy.

[@Charles-c1h]

WHO DEY! I wonder what the league will offer Tee next year? Bet it ain't more than 24 mil a year. Gotta sign defense guys too. Cannot give 60% of payroll to offense.

[@gullenator1]

Solly, Tee was terrible last year. He had the lowest completion percentage among all WRs and he was hurt. If he doesn’t turn it around, there’s no way I’d pay him.

[@petergozinya2607]

NFL owners need to put a salary cap on player positions...