Steelers Get Critical Update On Potential Addition Of Bengals' Tee Higgins In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers have some big decisions to make in the 2025 offseason. It starts at the most important position in football, the quarterback spot. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields' futures in Pittsburgh will take center stage, but another key need is wide receiver. The free agency market is looking particularly exciting, with Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Tee Higgins standing out as a potential option if the Steelers are willing to pay.

The Bengals have made it clear they want to keep Higgins, but they also acknowledge that it won’t be easy. Duke Tobin, the Bengals' director of player personnel, recently admitted during the Senior Bowl that retaining Higgins while managing their other financial priorities will be a tough balancing act. These comments leave the door open for potential suitors, including the Steelers, to make a move if they’re prepared to offer a competitive deal.

Tobin’s words provide a glimmer of hope for Steelers fans eager to see the team strengthen their wide receiver corps. While the Bengals are doing everything they can to keep Higgins, it’s clear that Pittsburgh could have a legitimate chance to land him if they are willing to make a serious financial commitment. The 2025 offseason could be a pivotal moment for the Steelers, as they look to make big moves to bolster their offense.

"I’ve always been very upfront in my desire to have Tee Higgins on our team," Tobin said via Pro Football Talk. "I’ve never not been upfront about that, and that desire continues, but we have to be able to come together with his representation on what that means and what the right number is for his experience, for his play time, for his production."

The Steelers have George Pickens under contract through the 2025 season, but speculation has surfaced that they may be ready to move on from him. 

While such a move would certainly be a risky one, it further emphasizes the need for a wide receiver of Higgins' caliber, regardless of Pickens' future in Pittsburgh. Tobin went on to explain the challenges the Bengals are facing in their efforts to keep Higgins, shedding light on the difficult decisions ahead.

"Let’s find something that works for everybody, because he is a guy that we want to have here, and hopefully that can come together, but we have other guys who are trying to take big bites of the apple in other areas, and we’re going to have to balance those as we go forward," Tobin said.

The Bengals’ offense was incredibly productive in 2024, but despite that, their defense was so poor it kept them out of the playoffs. Their top priority is making sure star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase gets whatever amount of money he wants. They simply cannot afford to let Chase leave, so he’s priority number one. 

Additionally, defensive end Trey Hendrickson has earned a pay raise, further complicating the Bengals' ability to meet Higgins' salary demands, especially with the team needing to upgrade their historically poor defense.

Steelers' Omar Khan Has A Chance For Redemption

Steelers General Manager Omar Khan was eager to strike a deal with the San Francisco 49ers for star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk during the 2024 offseason. Despite being reportedly close on several occasions, the deal never materialized. Now, Khan has a real opportunity to land another star wide receiver in Higgins, offering Steelers fans a genuine reason for optimism heading into the 2025 season.

A pairing of Pickens and Higgins would be a game-changer. If Khan and the Steelers can offer Higgins more money than the Bengals and bring him to Pittsburgh, it would completely shift the dynamic in the Steel City. Fans will be watching closely to see what major moves the front office makes this offseason, hoping for a big splash that could transform the offense.

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