Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has had a tumultuous offseason, to say the least. After requesting a trade when the franchise tag was placed on him, Higgins seems to have had a change of heart. At his youth football camp, he expressed his anticipation of playing for Cincinnati in 2024. Despite the rocky contract negotiations and injury setbacks, Higgins now claims to have developed a love for the city and is looking forward to staying.
For the past two years, Higgins and the Bengals have struggled to reach a long-term contract agreement. This stalemate was further complicated by Higgins’ injuries during the 2023 season. With career-low stats, including 42 catches, 656 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, Higgins’ performance was not up to his usual standards. However, the Bengals still view him as a valuable player for the upcoming season.
If Higgins chooses to sign the franchise tag, he will have a one-year deal worth $21.8 million, fully guaranteed. This gives him and the Bengals until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract. Among the eight players tagged this offseason, Higgins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are the only ones without contract extensions. Notably, Michael Pittman Jr. of the Indianapolis Colts signed a lucrative three-year deal last month, highlighting the ongoing negotiations in the NFL.
The Draft Class Comparison
Higgins, drafted just ahead of Pittman in 2020, ranks fourth in receiving yards among his peers with 3,684 yards. While Higgins waits for a contract extension, the players ahead of him, such as Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, and Brandon Aiyuk, are also in a similar situation. These first-round picks are all under contract for the 2024 season via the fifth-year rookie option, signaling a trend among young NFL talent.
Tee Higgins’ future with the Cincinnati Bengals hangs in the balance as contract negotiations loom large. Despite the uncertainty, Higgins remains committed to the team and looks forward to the upcoming season with renewed enthusiasm. As the deadline for a long-term deal approaches, both parties will need to find common ground to ensure a successful partnership in the years to come. Time will tell whether Higgins’ anticipation translates into a fruitful collaboration or if the franchise tag saga continues.
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