Tee Higgins, the great wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, is anticipated to be among the best NFL free agents available when the market opens up next month.
Before an injury-plagued and disappointing 2023 season, the former Clemson second-round pick appeared to be a top option. Sadly for Higgins, he plays on a team with Ja’Marr Chase, a player whose talent transcends generations.
It had led to previous speculation that Higgins would move on from the Bengals for a large pay day and an expanded role elsewhere.
While that might be the case down the road, it’s now looking a lot like Cincinnati won’t even give Higgins a chance to test the open market.
According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, “the writing is on the wall and all expectations” are that Cincinnati will place the tag on the 25-year-old Higgins.
The franchise tag for wide receivers this offseason is an estimated $21.7 million. That’s a less than ideal scenario for Cincinnati. The Bengals do currently find themselves with $61.39 million in projected room under the 2024 NFL salary cap, making a Higgins tag that much more likely.
From 2020-22, Higgins averaged 72 receptions for north of 1,000 yards with six touchdowns. He had a down 2023 campaign, hauling in 42 passes for 656 yards in 12 games.
The question here is whether Higgins’ production justifies nearly $22 million in 2024. Add in the fact that the two sides are unlikely to come to terms on a long-term contract, and kicking this situation down the road doesn’t make sense.
There is a chance that Cincinnati simply places the franchise tag on Higgins with the idea of trading him for a draft haul. With Chase now eligible for what would likely be a record-setting contract, that potential is real.
