Tee Higgins, a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, was anticipated to become a prominent name in the upcoming NFL free agency. As his rookie contract was set to expire in 2023, the 25-year-old was expected to explore opportunities for his future payday.
According to a report by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, the Bengals are likely to utilize the franchise tag on Tee Higgins. This would ensure that he remains on the team for at least another season and would earn him $20.7 million in 2024, placing him among the top five highest-paid wide receivers in the league.
This move could prove advantageous for Higgins. Over the next two NFL offseasons, wide receiver contract negotiations are expected to take center stage. With players like Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, Brandon Aiyuk, Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, and others becoming free agents between now and 2026, the top salaries for the position may experience a significant increase. Higgins, having earned over $20 million through the franchise tag, could benefit from this trend.
There is also the possibility of a tag-and-trade scenario. This has occurred twice with wide receivers since 2018, most recently when the Green Bay Packers tagged Davante Adams and subsequently traded him to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022.
While it is possible that the Bengals may choose to let Higgins leave and focus their financial resources on Chase and other players, Dehner Jr. reports that there is no indication from the team that Higgins will come close to reaching free agency in the upcoming spring.
In 2023, Higgins faced various injuries, resulting in a somewhat underwhelming performance. He played in 12 out of 17 regular season games, recording 42 receptions for 656 yards and 5 touchdowns, all of which were his lowest career numbers. Additionally, the absence of star quarterback Joe Burrow for the second half of the season negatively impacted the statistical output of the offensive skill position players.
According to the Source sportslens.com