Mark Madden: Tee Higgins joining the Steelers is pure fantasy talk

It’s the time of year for Pittsburgh Steelers fantasies. “Here come the jesters, 1-2-3…”

Draft this guy. Trade for that guy.

But the No. 1 fantasy is to sign the big-name free agent. (Which the Steelers don’t do. That’s why it’s a fantasy.)

Every Steelers fan’s current dream is receiver Tee Higgins, about to be out of contract with Cincinnati.

Higgins is 26, in his prime. He’s 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. Big and tough. Makes combat catches. Higgins had 73 receptions this past season for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Sure, Higgins had Joe Burrow throwing him the ball. One of the NFL’s very best quarterbacks.

But Higgins operated in the shadow of Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals’ unquestioned top receiver. An even bigger talent than Higgins. (Chase also took some coverage away from Higgins.)

Higgins could come to the Steelers and really bust loose. Except Higgins isn’t coming to the Steelers. If he did, he wouldn’t bust loose.

Why on earth would Higgins want to play for the Steelers?

The Steelers have a neanderthal offense. (Can Higgins play tight end?)

The Steelers have uncertainty at quarterback. (Doesn’t Higgins want a better arm servicing him than Justin Fields?)

The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game in eight seasons.

Playing for Pittsburgh would be quite a dropoff after being a target for Burrow and after playing in the Super Bowl in 2022.

Higgins can (and will) do better. (Even if it means staying in Cincinnati.)

You think Higgins wants to come to the Steelers and watch his stats die?

Nope. Not even if the Steelers offer him the most money.

Which the Steelers won’t.

Even if they do, Higgins would get comparable somewhere else, and with a better opportunity for catches, yards and winning.

Signing Higgins would make for an interesting payroll.

Higgins would command $30 million per year. Edge rusher T.J. Watt’s salary cap figure is $30.4 million. That’s paying quarterback money to two non-quarterbacks even as your QB room installs a revolving door. Tack on safety Minkah Fitzpatrick’s cap hit of $22.3 million.

The Steelers are cheap and unadventurous when it comes to free agency.

The Steelers only signed Russell Wilson last season because they had to pay him just $1.2 million. Denver paid Wilson $39 million to not play for the Broncos.

Higgins won’t be playing for the Steelers in 2025.

Calvin Austin III will be.