The saga of Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals took another turn as the wide receiver was unable to secure a long-term contract before the NFL's July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players. As a result, Higgins will play the 2024 season under the franchise tag.
This offseason, Higgins stood out as the lone player among eight franchise-tagged individuals who did not secure a new contract. Despite his efforts to attain a lucrative extension, including missing the Bengals' mandatory minicamp, Higgins signed his one-year franchise tender on June 15, 2024. This guarantees him a substantial $21.816 million for the season.
Higgins’ journey with the Bengals has been eventful since he was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson. Over his four seasons with the team, he has consistently delivered, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards twice. Each season, he has scored at least five touchdowns, showcasing his reliability and talent as a key player for Cincinnati. However, the most recent season tested his resilience as he battled a hamstring injury, limiting him to just 12 games. Despite this setback, he amassed 656 yards and five touchdowns on 42 receptions.
In late February 2024, the Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins, a move that seemed to signal an impending standoff. Higgins responded by requesting a trade, a request the Bengals did not grant. This scenario echoes past instances with Jessie Bates III and Jonah Williams, who also dealt with franchise tags under similar circumstances. Bates played out his tagged season before leaving in free agency, whereas Williams stayed with the team before exploring his options as a free agent.
Head coach Zac Taylor addressed the situation with optimism, stating, "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’s positive outlook reflects the team’s commitment to integrating Higgins back into their plans for the upcoming season.
Higgins’ return under the franchise tag places him in a pivotal role for the Bengals’ offensive strategy. His performance and ability to bounce back from last season’s injury will be crucial for Cincinnati’s ambitions. With Higgins back on the field, the Bengals hope to leverage his skill set to build a successful campaign in 2024.
The coming season will undoubtedly be a defining period for Higgins, as he aims to prove his worth both to the Bengals and potential suitors in future free agency opportunities. As the Bengals prepare for the season ahead, all eyes will be on how Higgins integrates back into the team and performs under the franchise tag.