Tee Higgins' recurring injuries validate where Bengals reportedly stand on his future in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Bengals have been without Tee Higgins for the past three weeks, which is looking like clear foreshadowing for the future. Higgins, who was given the franchise tag this past offseason following the expiration of his rookie contract, is on track to become a free agent for the first time next year. The only way […]
The Cincinnati Bengals have been without Tee Higgins for the past three weeks, which is looking like clear foreshadowing for the future.
Higgins, who was given the franchise tag this past offseason following the expiration of his rookie contract, is on track to become a free agent for the first time next year. The only way the Bengals can stop that from happening are by re-signing him to a long-term contract, or using the franchise tag on him again.
It's becoming more and more obvious that neither one of those routes will be taken.
Higgins was given the top spot in ESPN's early 2025 free agent rankings coupled with an report from insider Jeremy Fowler that states the 25-year old receiver is not long to stick around in Cincinnati:
"There's little to no chance Higgins is in Cincinnati beyond 2024. People I've talked to feel pretty strongly about that, barring a major surprise. A second franchise tag would cost the Bengals around $26.2 million on a one-year rental. Higgins wanted out of Cincinnati last offseason, and the Bengals will likely allocate resources for a [Ja'Marr] Chase contract. Higgins will have a strong market because of the number of receiver-needy teams and Higgins' WR1 traits." – ESPN's Jeremy Fowler
The saga between Higgins and the Bengals has been ongoing since last year when extension talks broke down right before the 2023 season. Cincinnati placed the tag on him immediately this past February, sparking a trade request right at the onset of free agency. Higgins wanted out until he decided it was best for him to lock in over the summer to prepare for the upcoming season.
After missing the first two regular season games with a hamstring injury, Higgins put together a productive five-game stretch in which the Bengals went 3-2 during. It was at this time when Fowler reported that the club wasn't interested in trading him at the deadline.
Higgins has been out since then with a quad injury, his sixth soft tissue ailment for his Bengals career. The three games he's missed increased his missed games count to 10 over the last two seasons.
It was already unlikely for the Bengals and Higgins to come together on a long-term deal before free agency begins next year. That his durability concerns have remained the same throughout this year not only decreases those odds, it also makes tagging him a second time seem ridiculous. Higgins has the second-highest cap hit on the roster and has only played half of the games. The value just isn't there.
Higgins may return this week to face the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday Night Football and put together a strong end to 2024, but the damage has already been done. It will be nearly impossible for the Bengals to properly value him knowing all about his injury history.
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