The Cincinnati Bengals grew to become the primary NFL staff to make use of the franchise tag this offseason, locking up wideout Tee Higgins for the 2024 season on Friday, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Community.
The franchise tag, as soon as signed, can pay Higgins $21.8M assured.
The value may appear excessive, however salaries at Higgins’ place are on the rise in a significant method. Eight wideouts make greater than the franchise tag quantity on common, with Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill main the best way at $30M a season.
Whereas locking up Higgins for not less than 2024 is sweet information for each events, the strain is now on for the 25-year-old.
Chosen by the Bengals thirty third total within the second spherical of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson, Higgins instantly impacted the staff’s offense over his first three seasons within the league. Nonetheless, in 2023, he had arguably his worst season, recording 42 catches for 656 yards and 5 touchdowns, all profession lows.
It is arduous to know the way a lot Higgins’ contract scenario and shedding Joe Burrow after Week 10 to a season-ending wrist damage impacted his numbers. Although heading into what quantities to a different contract 12 months, he’ll have to enhance on final 12 months’s numbers to obtain the sort of payday he is in search of now.
After failing to come back to phrases on a contract extension final offseason, Higgins and the Bengals seemingly reached the same deadlock this time round. Stories point out that the 2 sides will proceed negotiating in hopes of reaching an settlement on a long-term deal, however the odds favor Higgins enjoying the 12 months out on the franchise tag.
After the Bengals broke the seal, the NFL would possibly see an inflow of tagged gamers. This offseason options a number of big-name candidates, together with Carolina Panthers DE Brian Burns, New York Giants operating again Saquon Barkley and Tampa Bay Buccaneers security Antoine Winfield Sr..
