Bengals legend warns Tee Higgins against following in Tom Brady's footsteps

On Monday, it was reported that Tee Higgins suggested that he could extend his contract with the Cincinnati Bengals for less money. The wideout is heading toward free agency after this season if he won't agree to an extension with Cincinnati.

Amid speculation around Higgins' future, former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason has warned the wideout not to make the same mistake of accepting less money as some top quarterbacks, like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes have done in the past. While responding to a fan on X, Esiason suggested that signal-callers tend to make more money off the field with endorsement deals.

"QBs who make a ton of (money bag emoji) off the field. Tee was a 2nd round pick it's time for him to see the (money bag emoji) He’s earned it..," Esiason tweeted on Tuesday.

During his playing career, Brady reportedly accepted lower salaries than other QBs to remain with the New England Patriots and help them achieve success. Even Mahomes in May 2023 spoke about money not being his main incentive to remain with the Kansas City Chiefs, who are now eyeing a historic three-peat of Super Bowls.

The Bengals selected Higgins in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $8.6 million as a rookie. In the 2024 offseason, he signed a one-year $21,816,000 deal on the Bengals' franchise tag.

While Higgins has been a vital cog in the Cincinnati offense over the past five years, his future with the Bengals remains uncertain for the 2025 season.

Tee Higgins and Bengals will hope for a miracle in Week 18 to secure playoff berth

Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins - Source: Getty

The Bengals still have a slim chance of making the playoffs this season. They will need to win their Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and will require the Miami Dolphins to lose against the New York Jets, along with the Denver Broncos losing to the Kansas City Chiefs.

The only way Cincinnati can grab the last postseason berth is if all three results go their way.

The Bengals will need Tee Higgins to be at his best against the Steelers. The wideout has already posted 858 yards and 10 touchdowns on 69 receptions across 11 games.