The Bengals’ offense has plenty of reasons to draw attention, but Tee Higgins may be the piece most likely to swing the whole thing.
Cincinnati’s decision to bring in Dexter Lawrence has fueled plenty of discussion about the defense, and for good reason. But the bigger bet for the Bengals still lives on the other side of the ball, where Joe Burrow’s presence - if he stays healthy - gives this team a real path to double-digit wins even with only a halfway-decent defense.
That’s where Higgins comes in. Burrow’s No. 2 target has dealt with his own injury issues in recent years, and his health may be the most important subplot in Cincinnati’s offense. If he stays on the field, the Bengals have a chance to get back the version of Higgins that can tilt games.
Higgins is overdue for a 1,000-yard season. He has not reached that mark since 2022, which stands out even more after Cincinnati paid him a significant second contract in the same package deal that included Ja’Marr Chase.
Injuries have played a big role in that drought, and there was real concern about how the Bengals handled his concussion progression last season. Higgins later sought outside opinions to better understand his long-term health, and for now, he appears to be in the clear.
Availability has been a real issue. Higgins has missed 12 games over the last three years, and the Bengals went 4-8 in those contests. That record says plenty about how much his presence matters.
When Burrow is in the lineup, Higgins has also produced at a level that makes his role look a lot bigger than a standard No. 2 receiver job. Since 2024, he has been the No. 6 highest-scoring wide receiver when Burrow plays. As one fantasy analyst put it on X, "𝗧𝗲𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 (𝗖𝗜𝗡)
WR6 in PPG with Burrow over the last 2 seasons.
This isn’t a typical WR2 role.
It’s 1A / 1B - both get fed.
Higgins still has week-winning spikes.
If Burrow wins MVP like we expect…
you’re going to want a piece of this offense."
The setup in Cincinnati is simple: Chase draws the defensive attention he deserves, and Higgins punishes teams for trying to load up on one side. Over the last two seasons, Higgins has averaged about 7.7 targets per game, and there’s every reason to think that kind of volume can hold or even grow in 2026.
If Higgins and Burrow can stay healthy together, the payoff could be huge. Higgins should blow past 1,000 yards, and Cincinnati would have a strong chance to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2022 season.
There’s also a bigger point here. Higgins has the talent to put up 1,500 yards and function as a true WR1 somewhere else. Instead, he stayed in Cincinnati with Chase and Burrow, a move that says plenty about the Bengals’ push to chase their first Lombardi Trophy.
In Other News...
Bengals Keep Falling Into This Same Frustrating Roster Trap
The Bengals have spent much of the offseason trying to shore up the defense, but one familiar roster habit has followed them into camp: keeping a veteran tight end around even when the fit no longer feels especially dynamic. The position has been left largely intact, and the front office has not really gone hunting for outside help, which leaves the depth chart leaning on a player whose value comes more from stabilizing the run game and protecting the edge than changing much as a pass catcher.
For a team built around Joe Burrow, that kind of balance can be frustrating when the offense could use more juice from the tight end spot. There are younger options in the mix and the room is not exactly settled, so this is one of those situations that could still shift once camp gets rolling. For now, though, the Bengals appear content to keep trusting a familiar profile, even if it has become a little too familiar. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals Fans Shouldnt Ignore What Bralyn Lux Is Suddenly Threatening
Bralyn Lux has gone from afterthought to name worth tracking in a hurry. The second-year undrafted cornerback signed a reserve/future deal in January, got on the field during OTAs and even picked up some first-team snaps, which is enough to make him part of the conversation as the Bengals sort through their secondary in training camp.
Lux is not just trying to hang around the roster this summer. He is pressing for a bigger role in the slot, where the Bengals need someone reliable near the line of scrimmage and capable of making plays in tight spaces, and that kind of usage would put real pressure on the current setup. After appearing in two games last season and recording three tackles, Lux has made himself into more than a depth piece, and the next step in that climb is the one that usually decides whether a player sticks or keeps forcing the issue. [Read more 🡒]
Bengals WR3 Debate Just Brought DeAndre Hopkins Back Into Focus
The Bengals have spent the offseason sorting out the wide receiver pecking order behind JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins, with drafted rookie Colbie Young brought in to compete for the third spot. It is the kind of depth-chart question that can shape how Cincinnatis passing game looks once the season starts, especially with the team still weighing how to handle its receiver room beyond the top two.
DeAndre Hopkins has re-entered the conversation because of how he framed his own game in a recent interview, describing himself as a utility piece and a specialist for third-down and other situational work. Hopkins also made clear he wants to land with a contender, and while Cincinnati is looking at several options for its depth chart, his availability and his self-described role make him a name worth revisiting as the Bengals sort through the possibilities. [Read more 🡒]