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Cincinnati Bengals
Aug 18, 2025 5:07 PM EDT
The Cincinnati Bengals have made it known that they are pulling out all the stops this offseason to get off to a better start to the new season. In six years under head coach Zac Taylor, Cincy is 1-11 in the first two weeks of the season.
The beginning of this new mindset was Taylor declaring that the Bengals will play all of their starters – including superstars Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins – “more than ever” before in the preseason.
This is risky for a known injury-prone Burrow who already has to work behind a shaky offensive line. And for Pro Bowl receivers Chase and Higgins, this also could be looked at as an unnecessary gamble.
Both wideouts secured long-term (and handsomely-paid) contract extensions this year, but they were not removed from their preseason duties. Higgins appeared on the Mad Dog Sports radio show and seemed to challenge the fast start philosophy and need for preseason action.
“I really don’t like the narrative of getting off to a hot start,” Higgins said.
“I just feel like at the end of the day, we just got to execute as a team,” he added. “Offense has to complement the defense. Defense has to complement the offense. And special teams got to complement both.”
This may be the case for all games … but ESPN is remembering to hammer down on the facts: that execution has not always been there early. And it needs to be.
“First Take” personality Stephen A. Smith dramatically called out (as he so often does) at Higgins’ comments.
“That’s one of the most ignorant quotes of the year,” Smith said. “That’s going to be a top 10 ignorant quote of the year.”
Smith reiterated the concerning early-season record for Cincinnati as of late, questioning Taylor’s offseason program as a way to emphasize the importance here.
“I have called for an investigation into Zac Taylor and his coaching staff as to what they’re doing once the season is over, until mid-September, because they don’t show up ready to play to start the season,” Stephen A. said.
The theatrical on-air voice continued the shots at Higgins and the audacity of his statement by saying he’s either “completely lost” or “can’t count” as to the record and this significance.
“That was a foolish statement on his part.”
Obviously, the Bengals are looking to get off to a better start this year after a sloppy 0-3 record out of the gates in 2024, but it’s important to remember that Higgins wasn’t always a factor in the team’s underwhelming performance, which may play into him not being bought in to this focus.
Higgins was inactive for the team’s first two games last season, and while he certainly got better as the season progressed, it was the Bengals’ poor defense that was the story throughout, and ultimately led to missing the playoffs.
So far this year, Higgins played in the Bengals’ 34-27 preseason-opening loss to the Eagles, but did not have a reception. Chase followed up his triple crown-winning year with four receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown against Philadelphia.
It’s unlikely that Higgins’ stance on this narrative is the norm within the locker room, but nonetheless, it’s a questionable remark that Smith is making sure to put on blast.
It may turn out to be the receiver’s reality check that causes a mindset shift heading into the new year.
Cincinnati plays its second preseason game against the Washington Commanders Monday Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. ET.
About the Author
Nathan Karseno