Tee Higgins to Play Under Franchise Tag: Bengals Star Stuck in Contract Limbo
In a significant development for the Cincinnati Bengals, star wide receiver Tee Higgins is set to play out the 2024 NFL season under the franchise tag after contract negotiations failed to yield a long-term extension before Monday's deadline. This decision comes with a fully guaranteed $21.8 million payout for Higgins this season, ensuring that the multi-talented receiver will be in Bengals' stripes for at least one more year.
Higgins, the 2020 second-round draft pick, has proven himself as a top target for quarterback Joe Burrow. "It was assumed he would be a top target of Burrow's for years to come," reflecting how vital Higgins is to Cincinnati's offensive strategy. However, his long-term future with the team remains uncertain.
The contractual impasse led to Higgins requesting a trade in March, a move the Bengals did not accommodate. Despite this, Higgins will report to training camp alongside other veterans on July 23, ready to contribute to the upcoming season while exploring his future options.
Team Dynamics and Cap Space
In contrast to Higgins' uncertain status, the Bengals have solidified their commitment to Joe Burrow, recently making him the highest-paid player in the NFL with a mammoth five-year, $275 million extension. This substantial financial commitment highlights where Cincinnati's priorities lie, possibly affecting their flexibility to offer similar long-term deals to other key players like Higgins.
Meanwhile, the financial landscape across the league reveals varying capacities for potential trades or contract extensions. The New York Jets, with only $6.254 million in cap space for the season, face significant challenges. However, "The New York Jets don't have a ton of cap space left to play with for this season, but they could get creative in their accounting for a Higgins extension by providing him with a massive signing bonus and backloading his contract to defer larger cap hits to future years."
Other teams, notably the Washington Commanders with $37 million and the New England Patriots with $43.763 million in cap space, are positioned more comfortably to pursue high-caliber players like Higgins, should he hit the market. The Los Angeles Chargers, sitting on $20.656 million in cap space this season and projected nearly $43 million in 2025, also present intriguing possibilities for future roster enhancements.
Weighing Trade Possibilities
As the situation unfolds, the prospect of a trade remains feasible. "A trade and contract for Higgins will most certainly cost less than trading for Adams," suggesting that acquiring Higgins could be a strategic move for teams looking to bolster their receiving corps without overextending financially.
Higgins' performance this season will undoubtedly be under scrutiny as potential trade suitors evaluate his fit within their teams and their financial strategies. The Bengals, on the other hand, must balance their short-term goals with Higgins against long-term financial sustainability—an equation further complicated by their significant investment in Burrow.
With training camp on the horizon and the regular season fast approaching, all eyes will be on Cincinnati to see how this dynamic situation plays out. Higgins' presence on the field and his contributions will be crucial, not just for the Bengals' playoff aspirations, but also for setting the stage for future negotiations and potential moves in the 2024 offseason.