Tee Higgins is expected to be in training camp for the Cincinnati Bengals as the wide receiver will sign his franchise tender, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Cincinnati Inquirer’s Kelsey Conway.
Higgins reportedly requested a trade in March when contract negotiations fell through. But a month later, the 25-year-old said he “foresaw” playing for the Bengals during the 2024 NFL season.
The Bengals used the franchise tag on Higgins in February instead of allowing him to test the free agent market.
Now that he has signed his tender, Higgins and the Bengals have until July 15 to work out a deal or Higgins will play next season on a one-year, $21.8 million deal.
However, a long-term pact seems unlikely, with Schefter calling that outcome a “long-term” one as talks have not taken place for more than a year.
Higgins is the only player of the eight who signed a franchise tag this season who has not signed a multi-year contract.
Higgins has thrived since joining the Bengals in 2020 as a rookie second-round pick out of Clemson. In four seasons, he averaged 64 catches, 921 yards (14.3 yards per reception) and six touchdowns per season. He is one of quarterback Joe Burrow’s favorite targets and is part of one of the NFL’s best receiving tandems, alongside perennial Pro Bowler Ja’Marr Chase.
