After not showing up to any voluntary workouts and missing mandatory minicamp, Tee Higgins is back. The wideout signed the franchise tender placed on him by the Cincinnati Bengals. The team is relieved. Higgins, most likely, is not.
Let’s face it. Higgins has been looking for a long-term deal. He, as many wouldn’t, is happy with signing the franchise tag. But, it allows him and the team to continue to negotiate until July 15th.
Although, he may not even play a snap for the Bengals even after signing the tender.
Both sides are not close to a long-term deal at all. This leaves two scenarios. Either Higgins remains a Bengal and plays out the last year. Or, the team trades him away.
Playing Out The Last Year
It makes sense if the team keeps him for the season. Tyler Boyd left the team in free agency for the Tennesee Titans, leaving Higgins and Ja’Maar Chase as Burrow’s top two weapons.
Behind those two, the Bengals don’t have guys as talented as those two (although rookie Jermaine Burton from Alabama will be interesting to see develop). It was pivotal for the team to have Higgins back, which was why they placed the franchise tag on him.
However, it will be hard to keep both Chase and Higgins. Cincinnati already has a lot of money committed towards quarterback Joe Burrow. Chase is in the fourth year of his rookie contract and is also looking for a long-term deal himself. They will likely prioritize Chase, as he has been the number one guy for Burrow for years now (since college).
Even though Chase was on the field for Cincinnati for most of the season (missed one game in week 15, Higgins was not.
Yes, he was on the field for the Bengals. But, he missed five games during the season due to injury (fractured rib and hamstring issues).
Regardless, Higgins was as productive as he could be, catching 42 balls for 656 yards and five touchdowns. He was well on his way to his third straight 1,000 yard season if he was healthy for the entire season.
With 3,684 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns throughout his tenure as a Bengal, it’s clear the team are happy to have him back on the field as the team looks to rebound from a disappointing 9-8 season that saw them miss the playoffs.
Tee Higgins spoke briefly at a camp.
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) April 14, 2024
Higgins on if he anticipates playing for Bengals this coming season (interview was ended after that question by event organizers to get him on the field):
"I do anticipate it. I've grown a love for Cincy I didn't think I would. pic.twitter.com/Q0QfeqZ0Ac
Trading Him Away
When I saw Higgins sign the tender, I immediately though of L’Jarius Sneed. Though the cornerback received the non-exclusive franchise tag, the team ended up trading him to the Titans for a third-round pick and seventh-round pick swaps.
If the Bengals trade Higgins away, there’s a scenario in which they get a good package in return.
The value they’ll get for the wideout could range from a first or second-round pick. Consider his production when he’s on the field, it makes sense.
But, It’s More Likely He Plays Out The 2024 Year
“Tee and I are always talking. I've seen Tee several times this offseason. He looks great. Whenever he's ready to come back I'll be excited to see him.” Joe Burrow on Tee Higgins who signed his $21.8 million franchise tag Saturday pic.twitter.com/D0h1w17lPw
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) June 15, 2024
Though a trade is still a possibility, the Bengals may just hold onto Higgins and make one last run at a Super Bowl with him, Burrow, and Chase on the same team.
As for Higgins himself, this year allows him to ball out and help him find reach that long-term deal next offseason. Whether it’s with the Bengals or another team, he will be on the field for somebody in 2024 and beyond.
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Featured Image: Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
