Bengals WR Tee Higgins to change number, doesn't want to live in Chad Johnson's shadow

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will officially change his number after the 2021 season. 

Higgins, who currently wears No. 85, will change his number in part because of Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson, who previously wore the number for the franchise. 

"I keep seeing on Twitter, 'Ochocinco 2.0,'" Higgins said, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. "I don't want to be a 2.0. No disrespect to Chad. He's a great receiver, this and that. I just don't want to be a 2.0 for myself, man. I want to be Tee Higgins, 1.0, number five."

Higgins previously told Pro Football Focus' "Fantasy Football Podcast" that he would switch to No. 5 if he scored 10 touchdowns this season. He wore No. 5 in college at Clemson.

Johnson was one of the most impressive wide receivers in Bengals history. He holds franchise records in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. The six-time Pro Bowler spent the first 10 seasons of his career in Cincinnati, racking up 10,783 yards and 66 touchdowns before finishing off his career with the New England Patriots in 2011. 

Higgins was Cincinnati's leading receiver during his 2020 rookie campaign, catching 67 passes for 908 yards and six touchdowns. He had four catches for 58 yards and a touchdown in the Bengals' Week 1 win over the Minnesota Vikings. 

The 22-year-old believes he could end up being the last Bengals player to ever wear No. 85, telling ESPN he has a "good feeling" the franchise will retire the number one day.

"I just feel like Chad's done so much for this organization," Higgins said.