Tee Higgins, the talented wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, is set to return to the team for another season. The Bengals have informed Higgins that they plan to use the franchise tag on him, preventing him from becoming a free agent. This decision was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The franchise tag for wide receivers this year is expected to guarantee them a salary of $21.8 million.
The deadline to use the franchise tag is March 5th, giving the Bengals some time to potentially negotiate a long-term contract with Higgins before that date. Despite a somewhat underwhelming season due to injuries, Higgins has proven himself to be an elite No. 2 wide receiver. He experienced career lows in catches, receiving yards, touchdowns, and targets, but this can be attributed to missing five games due to injuries.
Higgins has been a reliable and capable player alongside Ja’Marr Chase, who is entering the fourth season of his rookie deal. It is highly likely that the Bengals will exercise their fifth-year option on Chase this offseason. With Chase’s impending payday and quarterback Joe Burrow’s lucrative five-year, $275 million contract, the Bengals may have concerns about paying Higgins top receiver money. However, the team does have a significant amount of cap space for the 2024 season, with $51 million available according to OverTheCap.
This decision to franchise tag Higgins allows the Bengals to retain his services for another season while they assess their long-term plans. It also ensures that they have a talented and reliable receiving corps for Burrow to work with as he continues to develop as the team’s franchise quarterback.
Overall, the Bengals’ decision to franchise tag Tee Higgins showcases their commitment to building a strong offensive unit. While there may be financial considerations and future contract negotiations to navigate, keeping Higgins on the team for another season is a smart move that will benefit both parties involved.
