Higgins: 'This could be the last ride' with Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins knows that 2024 could be his final season with the club.

"This could be the last ride for me and the guys," Higgins said, according to team reporter Geoff Hobson. "You never know."

He added that uncertainty played a role in him signing his franchise tag.

"Instead of holding out and waiting and just watching from afar, I'd rather be in the mix with the guys and grind it out with them," Higgins said. "That's how I've always been."

The 25-year-old was the only one of the nine franchise-tagged players to not sign a long-term extension or be dealt this offseason. Higgins reportedly requested a trade in March due to the lack of progress on a new deal but expressed a desire to remain in Cincinnati.

"I had time to reflect and think," the 6-foot-4, 219-pounder said. "I had long talks with my agent. ... At the end of the day, I just wanted to come out here and try to win a Super Bowl. I'm happy with the decision I made. I'm here for the Bengals for the 2024 season. I'm ready to get it done and get with my guys."

Higgins has been a key member of the Bengals' passing attack since he was selected 33rd overall in the 2020 draft. He posted over 900 yards in each of his first three seasons, including consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns in 2021 and 2022.

However, Higgins struggled to produce at the same level last season. The Clemson product appeared in only 12 games due to injury and finished the campaign with just 656 yards. Higgins said he focused on his body this offseason with the goal of getting through the year healthy.

"I haven't been through a season injury-free," Higgins said. "I'm looking forward to that this year. I changed a lot of things about how I prepare my body, what I put inside my body, my recovery work. I'm actually treating my body like a pro."

The wideout has tallied 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns on 257 receptions in 58 career games.