Tee Higgins Officially Signs Franchise Tag With Bengals
Syndication: The Enquirer
Tee Higgins is set to make it official that he will be a Cincinnati Bengal in 2024.
Breaking: Tee Higgins has signed his franchise tag, sources tell me. He is expected to report for training camp when it begins @Enquirer
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) June 15, 2024
Nearly three months to the day after requesting a trade from the Bengals, the star wide receiver will sign his $21.8 million franchise tag. The move all but guarantees that Higgins will spend the fifth season of his career in Cincinnati; it also may very well be his final season as a Bengal.
Trade rumors have surrounded Higgins and the Bengals for the last couple years. Those rumors were sent into overdrive on March 11th when Higgins requested a trade, citing his inability to agree with Cincinnati on terms of a long-term contract. However, the Bengals have stood pat and refused to trade him.
As much as Cincinnati would love to keep the dynamic trio of Higgins, Joe Burrow, and Ja’Marr Chase together, it may not be financially feasible. As Chase’s bank-breaking contract extensions looms — along with Burrow’s extension beginning in 2025 — the Bengals will likely have to make the tough decision to let Higgins walk to another team. Despite all this, Higgins has stated that he would love to remain in Cincinnati or the long haul.
“As far as coming back, I would love to come back,” Higgins said on the I Am Athlete Pod. “I grew as a man in the past four years here. Grew as a player, got good new friendships. Great relationships with people not in the facility, in the City of Cincinnati, the fans are great. So I would definitely love to be here.”
In four seasons with Cincinnati, Higgins has totaled 257 receptions, 3,684 yards, and 24 touchdowns. He will look to embark on a bounce-back campaign this season after a down year in 2023 that saw him with career-low totals of 42 receptions, 656 yards, and five touchdowns.
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