Cincinnati Bengals officially make wide receiver Tee Higgins their franchise player for 2024 season
The Cincinnati Bengals will be exercising the franchise tender on wide receiver Tee Higgins.Per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Higgins will be tagged by the Bengals, leading to a one-year, $21.816 million contract for the 2024 season as the team's franchise player. The news is fairly surprising as the Bengals had until March 5 to decide […]
The Cincinnati Bengals will be exercising the franchise tender on wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Higgins will be tagged by the Bengals, leading to a one-year, $21.816 million contract for the 2024 season as the team's franchise player.
The news is fairly surprising as the Bengals had until March 5 to decide whether or not to place the tag on Higgins. Pulling the trigger this early indicates something abundantly clear: Cincinnati is not expecting an agreement on a multi-year deal with Higgins.
This would counter the report from earlier today that the Bengals were engaging in contract talks with Higgins, hoping that an extension could be reached prior to the deadline. This opens the window for the Bengals to negotiate a long-term deal until a new deadline of July 15, but another possibility looms at large.
Since the Bengals are conceding this early, it could mean they've accepted an extension is not in the cards. This could open up the door towards the team trading him after once the new league year arrives on March 13.
The Bengals will undoubtedly be approached at next week's NFL Scouting Combine about Higgins' availability for trade, and director of player personnel Duke Tobin will have to answer why the tag was placed so early in the window.
It's all fantastic foreshadowing to a fascinating offseason for the Bengals.
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