Tee Higgins fails to report to Bengals minicamp, but NFL rules will save him from being fined
OTAs for the Cincinnati Bengals are over, which only leaves mandatory minicamp in the way of the team's summer break until training camp. Wide receiver Tee Higgins wasn't expected to attend either as he utilizes his last bit of leverage for a long-term extension.That has been confirmed, as per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the 25-year-old […]
OTAs for the Cincinnati Bengals are over, which only leaves mandatory minicamp in the way of the team's summer break until training camp.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins wasn't expected to attend either as he utilizes his last bit of leverage for a long-term extension.
That has been confirmed, as per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the 25-year-old WR will be absent for this week's mandatory minicamp.
Higgins a no-show at mandatory minicamp
Now if you're wondering how Higgins is escaping fines that could accrue to over six figures, it's actually quite simple.
If a player hasn't signed their franchise tag, they are technically not under contract with the team, meaning their rights are in limbo.
Higgins played out the fourth and final year of his rookie deal in 2023, but before he could enter free agency, the Bengals slapped the tag on him, forbidding other teams from making a move on the talented pass catcher.
But until Higgins signs said tag, he is technically not part of the team and hence, is not subject to fines or penalties thanks to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement.
The deadline to sign his franchise tag is July 15th.
Bengals and Higgins aren't likely reaching a contract extension
Zero progress has been made in the negotiations between Higgins and the Bengals, at least since the most recent report. The two sides have been at an impasse for a while, which led to the Bengals placing the franchise tag on Higgins in February.
Higgins has yet to sign his franchise tender, and because of this, he can't even report to minicamp at all. He'd first have to put pen to paper and then report to practice in order to avoid the fines altogether.
The most important thing for Higgins is to stay healthy and play his best this season. That will ensure he gets what he's after on the open market next offseason, should the Bengals not use the tag on him for a second time. If the tag is used, Higgins will have successfully upped his value in a potential trade, which may entice the Bengals towards actually exchanging him for a compensation they can't pass up on.
Missing out on minicamp, and the money that it'll cost him, is all but a formality for Higgins at this point.
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