With the Cincinnati Bengals failing to secure a long-term extension for Tee Higgins before the NFL's July 15 deadline, Higgins will play the 2024 season under the franchise tag. This development comes after a tense offseason where the Bengals' standout wide receiver was the only one among eight franchise-tagged players who did not receive a new contract.
Higgins signed his one-year franchise tender on June 15, 2024, locking in a guaranteed $21.816 million for the upcoming season. The Bengals had placed the franchise tag on Higgins in late February 2024, preventing him from exploring the free agent market.
Contract Tensions and Trade Request
During the offseason, Higgins made headlines as he sought a lucrative long-term deal, even opting to skip the Bengals' mandatory minicamp. The situation escalated when Higgins requested a trade following the application of the franchise tag. However, the Bengals chose not to grant his trade request, preferring to keep one of their key offensive weapons in the fold.
Despite the tension, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is optimistic about Higgins' return. "I'm excited to move forward with Tee. He's done a great job handling his situation, and we are happy to get him back in the fold so we can start working toward a great 2024 season. The locker room will be excited to have him back around," Taylor said.
Past Precedents and Future Implications
This situation is not unfamiliar territory for the Bengals. Past players such as Jessie Bates III and Jonah Williams also dealt with franchise tags without securing extensions. Bates played out his tagged season before leaving in free agency, whereas Williams chose to explore free agency opportunities after his tagged year. These precedents could potentially offer a glimpse into Higgins’ future with the franchise.
Performance on the Field
On the field, Higgins has been a significant contributor since being drafted by the Bengals in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson. He has surpassed 1,000 yards receiving twice in his four seasons with the team and has posted at least five touchdowns in each season. Despite being limited to 12 games in the most recent season due to a hamstring injury, Higgins still managed to accumulate 656 yards and five touchdowns on 42 receptions. His presence is vital for the Bengals' offensive strategy, making his situation even more critical.
The upcoming season will be pivotal for both Higgins and the Bengals. With a guaranteed $21.816 million, Higgins will look to prove his worth further and potentially secure a more extended deal, either with the Bengals or as a free agent in the future.
As the Bengals gear up for the 2024 season, all eyes will be on Higgins to see how he navigates this pivotal year. Given his track record and the support from the coaching staff and his teammates, there's a cautious optimism in Cincinnati that this partnership can still bear more fruit, despite the rocky offseason.