Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has signed his franchise tag and plans to take part in the team’s training camp, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Bengals placed a $21.8 million tag on Higgins after the two sides failed to agree on a long-term contract extension. The Clemson product then proceeded to miss the OTAs and mandatory minicamp in hopes of speeding up the negotiations.
Reportedly, Higgins’ holdout didn’t change much, and the prospect of two sides coming to terms with a new deal seems unlikely.
Higgins has been great for the Bengals in his first three seasons as a pro, establishing himself as one of the best No. 2 options in the NFL. He totaled 215 catches for 3,028 yards and 19 touchdowns between 2020 and 2022.
However, the 2023 campaign saw Higgins struggle with injuries that limited his production. He played in 12 games and finished the season with 42 catches for 656 yards and five TDs, all career lows.
The expectation around the league is that the Bengals will have Higgins play on the franchise tag before letting him walk next offseason. The franchise is prioritizing an extension for their star wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, and is unlikely to be able to give Higgins the type of deal that he believes he deserves.
