One of the Cincinnati Bengals‘ key players won’t be allowed to enter free agency next month. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Tee Higgins, a wide receiver, will now wear the franchise tag for the Bengals. The franchise tag number, according to Rapoport, will be roughly $21.8 million.
Source: The #Bengals informed star WR Tee Higgins that they are franchising him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 24, 2024
The franchise tag number is expected to be around $21.8M, fully guaranteed, for the #Bengals and Tee Higgins. The first tagged player of this window. https://t.co/dsoQEeThv5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 24, 2024
Although the Bengals are known for being frugal, they had no justification for letting Higgins leave for free agency without receiving anything in exchange. The franchise tag gives them time to negotiate a long-term contract; if not, Cincinnati can move Higgins or retain him through the 2024 season before starting the extension process anew the next year.
Tee Higgins journey so far
Last season, Higgins finished with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns while missing five games for Cincinnati. He led the Bengals to a Super Bowl 56 berth in 2022 after posting consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards and 70 catches.
Over the past four years, one of the most dynamic receiving tandems in the game has been developed by the 2020 second-round pick and Ja’Marr Chase. After the Bengals missed the playoffs five straight years from 2016 to 2020, these two and Joe Burrow have transformed the team into a formidable force in the AFC.
Higgins has 24 touchdowns and 3,684 yards from 257 receptions over his career.
