Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins will sign his franchise tender today and avoid missing the start of training camp. This announcement comes after the veteran receiver skipped the team’s mandatory minicamp. He has been absent from all of the team’s off-season program events. The contract will pay him $21.8 million for the upcoming season.
Higgins Sought Trade
The signing comes after Higgins made a trade request to team management. The team designated the franchise tag on the veteran wide receiver to prevent him from becoming a free agent. The team had been in negotiations with Higgins and his agent on a long-term contract, but the two sides have not discussed the matter in over a year.
Asked this week about Higgins’ holdout, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he has communicated regularly with the wideout since the end of last season and is looking forward to throwing him passes when training camp opens.
“Tee and I are always talking,” Burrow said. “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.”
Dynamic Wide Receiver Duo
Tee Higgins and teammate Ja’Marr Chase have been Burrow’s dynamic duo for the past few seasons. In his four years with the Bengals, Higgins has caught 247 passes for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns. Chase has contributed 268 receptions, 3,717 receiving yards, and 29 touchdowns. The pair constitutes one of the best wide receiver combinations in the NFL.
Wide Receivers Market Became Expensive
The Bengals’ delay in signing Higgins proved costly. Already this offseason, several premier receivers have signed expensive long-term contracts. Players signings such as Justin Jefferson with the Vikings, A.J. Brown with the Eagles, and Amon-Ra St. Brown with the Lions have raised the stakes for any team looking to sign or acquire a quality wideout.
The Bengals aren’t sure that they can sign Higgins to a long-term contract, but they are happy to have him in the fold for at least one more season.
About the Author
Greg Simbeck is an experienced writer, editor, and content manager who covers a variety of sports for Total Apex Sports. He specializes in MLB coverage. Greg has covered various sports for numerous other publications over the years.
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