Cincinnati Bengals’ Tee Higgins Signed Franchise Tender

It wasn’t what he was hoping for or wanted. However, there have been limited contract talks between the two parties. Therefore, Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver Tee Higgins signed his franchise tender yesterday. So he is expected to be available for the start of training camp next month according to Adam Schefter. For the 2024 season he will earn $21.8 million. But we before we go any further, this would be a good time to review what the franchise tag really means.

The franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. Therefore, a team can keep a player under a one-year, guaranteed contract that is offered to the player. It’s a strategic tool that general managers and owners can use to manage salary costs. And limit exposure to the financial risks associated with a long-term contract. Most players don’t like the franchise tag because they believe it limits their ability to negotiate a more lucrative, long-term contract.

And that seems to be the concern that Tee Higgins may have had when he was tagged by the Bengals back in February. He asked for a trade and then didn’t show up for the voluntary OTA’s. However, with little to no contract extension talk going on Higgins has signed the tag. But the parties still have until July 15 to get a long-term contract done. But at this point, that doesn’t seem likely. Because the Bengals also need to get a contract done with three-time Pro Bowler WR Ja’Marr Chase.

Cincinnati Bengals’ Tee Higgins Signed Franchise Tender

In 2021 and 2022, Higgins had over 1,00 yards receiving and 74 receptions. Unfortunately he missed 5 games in the 2023 season due to a hamstring injury. Still he had 656 yards, 42 receptions and 5 touchdowns. Chase, on the other hand, has had more receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns since he started his career in 2021.

But the Bengals want to keep Higgins since he is a productive, young player. After paying Joe Burrows and now looking to get Chase signed, it looks like Higgins will have to wait to get his big contract. Or if the Bengals can’t make the numbers work, then Higgins may be playing his last season with the team. Other wide receivers like Justin Jefferson, and Amon-Ra St. Brown have gotten big paydays, raising the pay standard for the position. That can only help Higgins when it’s time for him to get paid.

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