Tee Higgins’ 2025 campaign didn’t unfold the way he or the Cincinnati Bengals hoped. Injuries under center derailed the team’s playoff push, leaving them on the outside looking in come January. But just when it looked like the season would end on a sour note, Higgins got a late but meaningful nod - a spot in the Pro Bowl.
The Bengals wideout is stepping in for Baltimore Ravens rookie Zay Flowers, who bowed out of the event. And while the Pro Bowl may not carry the same weight it once did, it still matters - especially for a player entering a pivotal point in his career.
Higgins earned his first Pro Bowl selection after posting 59 catches for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. That’s a strong stat line, especially considering the Bengals' quarterback carousel after Joe Burrow went down. Higgins remained a reliable red-zone threat and showed he could still produce even when the offense wasn’t at full strength.
Now, he’ll take the field in the revamped Pro Bowl format - a mix of skills competitions and a flag football game - slated for this Saturday, Feb. 3, at 8:00 PM EST. It’s not the traditional AFC-NFC clash, but it’s still a national spotlight, and for Higgins, the timing couldn’t be better.
This Pro Bowl appearance adds a new layer to Higgins’ résumé - one that could have real implications when it comes to his contract situation. According to Spotrac, he’s heading into the final stretch of his current deal, and while the Bengals would take a financial hit if they let him go in 2026, that dynamic shifts in 2027. Translation: the clock is ticking on both sides to figure out what the future looks like.
For Higgins, this is a chance to strengthen his case for a long-term extension. Being a Pro Bowler isn’t just a personal milestone - it’s leverage.
It shows he’s not only productive but also recognized league-wide. And that kind of recognition matters to front offices, especially when it comes to evaluating a player's market value and fan appeal.
He’s already proven he can be a top target when Burrow is healthy. Now, with a Pro Bowl nod in his back pocket, Higgins enters the offseason with momentum - and a little extra bargaining power.