Cincinnati’s 2023 season didn’t finish how they’d supposed it to. Joe Burrow suffered a wrist harm and neglected the general six video games of the common season. The Bengals nonetheless completed 9-8 however they didn’t make the postseason. One main storyline for the Bengals this offseason has been WR Tee Higgins.
In February, the group introduced they have been going to make use of the franchise tag on Higgins for the 2024 season. A couple of weeks later, Higgins knowledgeable the group he sought after to be traded. Cincinnati needed to paintings with Higgins this offseason to take a look at and get a deal accomplished. Or no less than persuade him to stick for the 2024. At his early life soccer camp in April, Higgins advised the media he plans to play for the Bengals this upcoming season. The day before today used to be the closing date to get a long-term deal signed, Leaving Higgins to play at the franchise tag in 2024.
The 2024 season may just finally end up being Tee Higgins’ ultimate yr with the Bengals
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: #Bengals WR Tee Higgins will play at the franchise tag, which means that all 9 gamers who have been tagged have observed their scenarios come to a conclusion (for this yr, no less than). percent.twitter.com/yId3wxCIw7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2024
Tee Higgins used to be in a singular state of affairs this offseason. Of the 9 gamers who have been designated to a franchise tag in March, he used to be the one participant not to obtain a long-term extension. Carolina traded Brian Burns and the Chiefs traded L’Jarious Sneed. Each gamers signed long-term offers with their new respective groups. Consistent with the CBA, Higgins isn’t eligible to signal a freelance extension till the top of the 2024 season. His 2024 marketing campaign can be an enormous yr to resolve the place Higgins will play in 2025 and what form of contract he’s going to get.
To begin his NFL profession, Tee Higgins used to be a second-round select via the Bengals out of Clemson. The 25-year-old simply completed his fourth season with the group and the worst of his professional profession up to now. Higgins performed in a career-low 12 video games and made 11 begins. His 42 receptions for 656 yards and 5 touchdowns have been all profession lows. Regardless of his down season in 2023, the Bengals know they have got a playmaker in Tee Higgins. He’s a very good supplement to Professional Bowl WR Ja’Marr Chase.
“Tee Higgins used to be the one participant to be franchise tagged this offseason who didn’t get a long run deal..
Most likely he’s going to go away Cincinnati after this season” ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive percent.twitter.com/Py411Pfmc7
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 15, 2024
The Bengals know the kind of manufacturing they are able to get from Tee Higgins when he’s at his easiest. He had back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022 with 1,000+ receiving yards. Cincinnati would like to peer their playmaking WR have every other productive season like that. In all honesty, the group wishes Higgins to be that form of WR once more with Tyler Boyd parting with the Bengals this offseason. The group did draft Alabama’s Jermaine Burton within the 3rd around. If Higgins isn’t enjoying as much as his usual, Burton may just see a larger function as a rookie.