Bengals WR Tee Higgins plans to do exactly what he's expected to do with OTAs around the corner
Last week, Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins became the only franchise tagged player that hasn't signed a long-term deal this offseason. That remains the case with just a week until OTAs in Cincinnati begin. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Higgins will not participate in OTAs, and will become ineligible to practice with the team until a contract, or […]
Last week, Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins became the only franchise tagged player that hasn't signed a long-term deal this offseason. That remains the case with just a week until OTAs in Cincinnati begin.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Higgins will not participate in OTAs, and will become ineligible to practice with the team until a contract, or just the franchise tag, is signed.
Higgins becomes the latest wide receiver reportedly skipping OTAs this month, joining Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys.
Both of those players, like Higgins, are expecting big pay days before long. Only Higgins has completed the entirety of his rookie contract already.
Learning Higgins is following suit should not come as a surprise to anyone.
Why is Tee Higgins not reporting to the Bengals?
The standoff between Higgins' representation and the Bengals' front office is well documented at this point. Both sides entered the offseason nowhere close to an agreement, which led to the Bengals becoming the first team to even use the tag in the first place.
Higgins would be partaking in official offseason practices entering a contract year deal for the second straight year. Instead, he will conduct his work away from the 86 other players on the roster.
Long-term security is what Higgins is after, and the Bengals would love to keep him around for longer as well. It's just not happening unless Higgins and his camp are satisfied.
The price will be Higgins' absence.
Not having one of the team's best offensive players can't be portrayed as a positive, but no matter how much Higgins can possibly impact the team with his lack of presence, the Bengals still hold all the cards. He doesn't get paid this year unless he signs what's in front of him: a one-year deal worth nearly $22 million.
That signature will come in time, but it was never coming before this.
When will Tee Higgins report to the Bengals?
Skipping out on official offseason work was the last bit of leverage Higgins had to work with. The Bengals will carry on while he’s away, and can keep some cash in pocket in the process. They’ll be ready to pay it at a moment’s notice.
Higgins is represented by David Mulugheta of Athletes First, the same agent who represents former Bengals safety Jessie Bates III. When it was Bates conducting a holdout in 2022, he was also tagged by the Bengals under Mulugheta's watch after a long-term extension was desired, but not reached.
Cincinnati has seen this movie before, and has expected the same ending.
When Higgins needs to come back for his money to play football, not practice it, he'll come back. The Bengals will move forward as he goes through the motions.
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