Tee Higgins Acknowledges 2024 Season "Could Be The Last Ride" With Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins was franchise-tagged this offseason, and he requested a trade early in the process ahead of free agency. He ultimately decided to sign the franchise tag and stay put in 2024, but he knows this could be his last season with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and the organization. "This could be the last ride for me and the guys," Higgins said. "You never know. Instead of holding out and waiting and just watching from afar, I'd rather be in the mix with the guys and grind it out with them. That's how I've always been." The former second-round pick out of Clemson has been productive since entering the league in 2020, but he has battled injuries often and struggled to deliver a truly elite season while sharing targets with Chase. While his ceiling is likely capped in the WR2 range, a healthy Burrow could make him a draft steal at his ADP around the WR30 spot heading into his fifth NFL season. If he enters free agency next year, expect him to be highly sought after given the booming wide receiver market in today's NFL.
Tee Higgins Won't Be Extended By Monday's Deadline
The Cincinnati Bengals and star wide receiver Tee Higgins won't come to terms on a long-term contract extension by Monday's deadline. Higgins has signed his franchise tag and will play on the one-year pact in 2024 before becoming one of the top free agents next offseason. This outcome had appeared evident for some time, but now it's official. The 25-year-old will be highly motivated to produce a bounce-back season in 2024 after playing in just 12 games last year due to injuries while finishing with a career-low 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. It's possible the Bengals could franchise tag Higgins again next year or work out a tag-and-trade deal. Higgins should bounce back if he and quarterback Joe Burrow stay healthy, but his fantasy ceiling is probably capped as a WR2 with Ja'Marr Chase being the team's WR1.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins signed his franchise tender on Saturday, according to a source. By signing his tender, Higgins is now expected to be at training camp next month. A long-term deal for Higgins is considered a long shot at this point, especially since with WR1 Ja'Marr Chase has only two years remaining on his current deal. The 25-year-old Higgins will make $21.8 million in the franchise tag in 2024 before becoming a free agent next March. The former second-rounder (33rd overall) in 2020 out of Clemson struggled with injuries in his fourth NFL season in 2023, playing in only 12 games and catching 42 passes for a career-low 656 yards and five touchdowns. With better health for himself and quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist), Higgins should be able to bounce back in a contract year and would be a fine target as a high-end WR3/low-end WR2.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who had the franchise tag placed on him earlier this offseason for the 2024 campaign, has still not signed the tag and is not present for the start of mandatory minicamp this week. Because he's technically not under contract yet, Higgins will not be fined. The 25-year-old either wants to be traded or wants a new contract from Cincinnati. He officially asked for a trade in March but now expects to play for the Bengals in 2024. The former second-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson had the worst of his four seasons in the NFL last year, playing in only 12 games due to injury and finishing with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. A bounce-back should be coming if he can stay healthy in 2024, but Higgins' fantasy upside as a WR2/3 will continue to be capped as long as he's playing in the shadow of teammate and WR1 Ja'Marr Chase.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are both not present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday as they seek new deals this offseason. Higgins has yet to sign his franchise tender for this year, so until he does, he will not be allowed to participate in offseason workouts with the team. The 25-year-old requested a trade from the Bengals when the team put the franchise tag on him just before the start of free agency in March, but he remains in Cincinnati for now as he angles for a new long-term deal. It's an offseason storyline to follow for fantasy managers after Higgins had an extremely disappointing 2023 campaign. It didn't help that quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury, but Higgins was also injured himself and finished with a career-low 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.
According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins isn't expected to attend OTAs next week. This isn't surprising, considering the wideout wants a new contract. He also requested a trade in March, although it doesn't appear that the Bengals are looking to move him. The 25-year-old had a down season in 2023-24, amassing 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns, all the lowest marks of his career. He was also limited to just 12 games due to injury. With that said, there's still a chance things will get resolved heading into training camp. If that's the case, Higgins could turn things around in 2024-25, especially if Joe Burrow (wrist) stays healthy. Yet, if both parties can't reach an agreement, he'll play on a franchise tag. UPDATE: Higgins still hasn't signed his franchise tender and is not expected to by next week. He cannot rejoin the team until he signs the tag.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins continues to grow frustrated as his trade request from last month has gone unanswered. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Higgins is "pissed" about the lack of a shared vision between himself and the team. Higgins was once said to be seeking a deal similar to Michael Pittman Jr.'s three-year, $70 million pact, but Cincinnati reportedly never came close to that price tag. This prompted the talented receiver to request a trade, but the Bengals made it clear (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN) that they have "no plans" to trade him. Therefore, the stalemate continues between Cincinnati and Higgins. One has to wonder if too many bridges have been burned and a holdout might be in the cards.
Bengals Not Close To Tee Higgins' Contract Demands?
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is seeking a deal similar to the one that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. received, according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Pittman fetched three years and $70 million on his latest deal, which would suggest that Higgins is looking for a three-year deal worth roughly $23 million on an annual basis. If so, there's a significant gap in negotiations between him and the Bengals, who have not offered more than $20 million annually, according to Conway. The former second-round receiver previously requested a trade, but as it stands, he's expected to remain in Cincinnati for the 2024 season. With Joe Burrow throwing him passes, Higgins ranks as a low-end WR2 in fantasy football.
Tee Higgins Plans To Play For The Bengals In 2024-25
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins remains without a new contract. He also hasn't been traded, something he recently requested. However, it appears there's still hope that the wideout plays at least one more season in Cincinnati, even if it's under a $21.8 million franchise tag. While speaking to Charlie Clifford of WXIX-TV, Higgins anticipates suiting up for the Bengals for the 2024-25 campaign. Not only that, he mentioned he's looking forward to it while expressing his fondness for the franchise and the city. With that said, Higgins is coming off a down year, amassing 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. He also missed five games due to injury. But if anyone can bounce back for fantasy managers, it's the 2020 No. 33 overall pick, especially if Joe Burrow (wrist) can stay healthy. Both sides have until mid-July to agree to a new contract.
According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, Cincinnati hopes to keep wide receiver Tee Higgins on the roster. The wideout was franchise-tagged a few months ago but requested a trade. Although it was reported that the team would entertain phone calls, Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn, speaking at league meetings, indicated that Higgins' contract is a "focus." The 25-year-old is coming off a down season, finishing the 2023-24 campaign with 656 yards and five touchdowns off 42 catches. But most concerning, he dealt with various ailments, limiting him to just 12 games. At any rate, Higgins has a chance to bounce back if he remains in Cincinnati, which appears the most likely scenario, considering there reportedly hasn't been much interest from other clubs. However, for the 2020 No. 33 overall pick to turn things around, Joe Burrow (wrist) must stay healthy. Higgins will need to figure out how to do the same.
