The Cincinnati Bengals may have assigned the franchise tag to Tee Higgins last week, but that apparently doesn’t mean he’s a lock to return in 2024.
According to a report from ESPN’s Dan Graziano, some around the league believe that the Bengals only handed the franchise tag to the star wide receiver as a way to facilitate a potential blockbuster trade:
“A lot of people in Indy seemed to think the reason the Bengals franchised Tee Higgins as early as they did was so they could trade him. With a Ja’Marr Chase extension likely coming this offseason or next, Cincinnati might not be able to keep the band together around Joe Burrow much longer.”
The 6-foot-4, 219-pound Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase have formed one of football’s elite pass-catching duos since the latter’s arrival in 2021. But with Chase in need of a lucrative deal, the budget-conscious Bengals may be cautious about extending their No. 2 receiver as well.
Tee Higgins missed five games in 2023 and finished with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns. He had his best season in 2021, hauling in 74 catches for 1,091 yards and seven touchdowns.
His efforts helped the Bengals to a Super Bowl 56 appearance and consecutive AFC title game berths in 2021 and 2022. Despite Higgins’ contributions to the franchise’s rise to Super Bowl contention, it very much looks like he’s on borrowed time in Cincinnati.
