Cincinnati Bengals legend Chad Johnson has unbelievable praise for the new number 85, rookie wide receiver Tee Higgins.
By all accounts, former Clemson wideout Tee Higgins has surpassed all expectations for the Cincinnati Bengals. Through the first half-season of his professional career, the stellar playmaker has 488 receiving yards, three touchdowns, and 14.8 yards per catch. At 21-years-old and just beginning to develop his chemistry with Joe Burrow, the feeling around the Queen City is that his career arc only goes up from here.
That’s clearly how Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson, Bengals legend, feels too. From the day Cincinnati drafted Higgins in the second round, the former number 85 hasn’t been shy about how much he admires the game of the guy who now dons his legendary number.
As an official Madden Ratings Adjustor, Johnson oversaw an increase in Higgins spectacular catch rating from 87 to a 90 after an outstanding performance in week eight. As you can see in the clip below, Ochocinco took the theatric route to expressing just how impressed he is with the rookie.
The Bengals wideouts balled out and secured that ratings boost 😤 @boutdat_23 @teehiggins5 @lil_t8te @Bengals @EAMaddenNFL @ochocinco pic.twitter.com/BqDciChz8D
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 5, 2020
Tee Higgins already better than Ochocinco was as a rookie?
Not only does Johnson often praise Higgins, but he has gone as far as to say he’s better than he was as a rookie. Considering Johnson went on to have a fringe Hall-of-Fame career, that’s an exciting line of thought for the orange and black faithful.
He’s better than i was as a rookie, people thought he had big shoes to fill wearing the 85, at this point his feet are bigger than mine ®️ https://t.co/Jp6O1ujiEX
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) November 7, 2020
Moving forward, expect Zac Taylor’s offense to utilize and rely on Higgins’ special skillset even more than they do now. After this season, there’s a chance that A.J. Green may no longer be around to take attention off the rising star. Cincinnati will need to ensure that he’s ready to step into the number one outside receiving role by the time next season rolls around.
Based on what we’ve seen so far, he may already be there. As the season rolls on, look for him to continue to impress and draw more rave reviews from Johnson.