Bengals’ Star Wide Receiver Tee Higgins Signs Franchise Tender, Leaving Long-Term Deal Uncertain

After signing his franchise tender, wide receiver Tee Higgins will be present at Cincinnati Bengals training camp. Higgins had initially requested a trade in March due to stalled contract negotiations but later expressed his intention to play for the Bengals in the upcoming NFL season.

In February, the Bengals opted to use the franchise tag on Higgins, preventing him from becoming a free agent. Now that he has signed the tender, Higgins and the team have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract. If no agreement is reached by then, Higgins will play on a 1-year, $21.8 million deal for the upcoming season.

Despite the potential for a long-term deal, it appears unlikely at this point, with Adam Schefter suggesting that such an outcome is a “long shot” given the lack of recent discussions. Among the players who signed franchise tags this offseason, Higgins is the only one who has not secured a multiyear contract.

Since joining the Bengals in 2020 as a second-round draft pick from Clemson, Higgins has been a key contributor to the team’s offense. He has averaged 64 catches, 921 yards, and six touchdowns per season, establishing himself as a favorite target for quarterback Joe Burrow alongside Ja’Marr Chase, another standout receiver. Together they form one of the top receiving tandems in the NFL.