Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is currently not under contract with the team, as they have placed the franchise tag on him. Higgins desires a long-term deal and has expressed interest in being traded, although he has also stated that he would like to remain with the Bengals. In an appearance on the I Am Athlete podcast, Higgins emphasized his appreciation for the team and the city of Cincinnati, stating that he would love to continue playing for the Bengals, but acknowledges that circumstances may change.
While there is a risk that the Bengals could rescind the tender, making him a free agent later in the year, this scenario is unlikely. Some believe Higgins should report to camp and focus on having a standout season to earn a significant contract, while others argue that his performance over the past four years should already merit a lucrative deal, should he hit free agency in March 2025. It is improbable that the Bengals will offer Higgins a long-term contract, so he will eventually need to decide whether to accept the franchise tender or hold out for a better deal before the July 15 deadline.
The exact recording date of an episode posted recently featuring Higgins on I Am Athlete podcast is unknown. The Bengals have a history of not signing franchise-tagged players to long-term contracts and typically allow them to play under it for one year without applying it again. Higgins has been tagged by Cincinnati and can choose whether or not to skip offseason activities and training camp without any consequences other than receiving his $21.8 million franchise tender shortly before regular season starts.
In conclusion, Tee Higgins’ future with Cincinnati remains uncertain as he is currently without a contract and has expressed interest in being traded while still expressing his desire to stay with his current team. The franchise tag allows him some flexibility in terms of when he needs to return but ultimately must decide whether accepting it or holding out for better deal before July 15th deadline.
