One of the major uncertainties surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals’ offseason seems to be on the verge of a resolution. Tee Higgins, the wide receiver for the Bengals, has indicated that he foresees playing for Cincinnati in 2024. This revelation came during his youth football camp where he spoke to reporters about his sentiments towards the organization. Despite Higgins previously requesting a trade when the franchise tagged him, he now expresses a newfound affection for Cincinnati as his time with the team has progressed.
Over the past couple of years, Higgins and the Bengals have been at a standstill in terms of reaching a long-term agreement. This deadlock persisted even during the 2023 season when Higgins encountered injuries that impeded his performance on the field. Dealing with a rib injury during Week 4 and a hamstring problem before Week 10, Higgins missed a total of five games in the last season. His statistics also suffered, with his catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns hitting career lows.
Franchise Tag and Contract Negotiation
Despite the contractual stalemate, the Bengals have shown that they value Higgins by placing the franchise tag on him for the upcoming season. If he signs the franchise tag, Higgins will secure a fully guaranteed one-year deal amounting to $21.8 million. Both parties have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract that will supersede the franchise tag.
Among the players who received the franchise tag this offseason, Higgins and Antoine Winfield Jr. from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the only ones who have not yet finalized contract extensions with their respective teams. Notably, Michael Pittman Jr., a wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts, inked a three-year deal with $41 million guaranteed. In terms of career statistics, Higgins ranks fourth in receiving yards among players chosen in the 2020 NFL draft, slightly above Pittman. However, the top three players in his draft class, Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandon Aiyuk, have also not secured contract extensions despite being first-round picks.
Overall, Higgins’ contract saga with the Bengals is emblematic of the complexities involved in NFL player negotiations. As the deadline for a long-term deal approaches, both parties must navigate these intricacies to secure a mutually beneficial agreement.