Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins signs franchise tag amidst trade rumors
- Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has signed a franchise tag worth $21.8 million.
- Higgins' long-term future with the team remains uncertain as trade rumors continue.
- The player's decision comes after a period of negotiation and speculation.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins signed his one-year franchise tender for the 2024 season, worth $21.8 million. His long-term future with the team is uncertain as he could become a free agent next March if a deal isn't reached by July 15. Higgins has been overshadowed by Ja'Marr Chase but has been a key player for the Bengals, contributing to their Super Bowl run in 2021. The team is not expected to offer him a long-term deal with Chase and Burrow's lucrative contracts. Higgins missed games last season due to a hamstring injury but has been a consistent performer with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022. The Bengals are looking to integrate new talent like Jermaine Burton into their receiving corps as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season.