Star wide receiver Tee Higgins is set to play out the 2024 NFL season under the franchise tag, after the Cincinnati Bengals and Higgins failed to agree on a long-term extension before Monday's deadline. As negotiations hit a standstill, Higgins stepped into a fully guaranteed $21.8 million contract for the season, ensuring his return to the field with the Bengals.
Despite the lucrative short-term deal, the unsolved contract situation leaves a cloud of uncertainty over Higgins' future in Cincinnati. The wide receiver, whose dynamic performance led many to believe he would be a cornerstone of the Bengals' offensive lineup, will report to training camp alongside his veteran teammates on July 23. However, it's now evident that his tenure with the team could be short-lived, especially after Higgins requested a trade back in March—a request the Bengals declined.
A New Path for Higgins?
The refusal to grant a trade, combined with the lack of a long-term deal, paves a murky path ahead for both Higgins and the Bengals. Observers note that in a roster featuring Joe Burrow, who recently secured a record-setting five-year, $275 million extension, salary negotiations inevitably become complex. "It was assumed he would be a top target of Burrow's for years to come," echoes the sentiment of many fans and analysts. Yet, the franchise's decision to franchise tag Higgins suggests a strategic pause as they recalibrate their priorities.
While the immediate future keeps Higgins tied to the Bengals, his request for a trade earlier this year opens the door to potential suitors. Teams with considerable cap space could make strategic moves to secure the talented receiver. Notably, the New England Patriots, with $43.763 million in cap space, and the Washington Commanders, holding $37 million, are in positions to feasibly absorb Higgins' contract and lure him with enticing offers.
Plausible Trade Destinations
Another potential suitor, the Los Angeles Chargers, has a respectable $20.656 million in cap space this season and is projected to have nearly $43 million in 2025. They might see adding Higgins as a move to bolster an already talented roster with an eye on future successes. Meanwhile, the New York Jets, though maintaining a comparatively modest $6.254 million in cap space, could employ creative financial strategies. "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," suggests an insider analysis.
For teams considering Higgins, the financial demand appears more manageable than other high-profile trades. "A trade and contract for Higgins will most certainly cost less than trading for Adams," a reference that positions Higgins as a value acquisition amid the inflated market for elite receivers.
The Bengals' Strategic Calculations
From Cincinnati's perspective, their handling of the Higgins situation intertwines with broader roster planning and financial management. The franchise tag allows them to maintain a key offensive weapon without immediate long-term financial commitment through 2024, but this tactic also risks future contention from a player who may increasingly feel undervalued or unsettled. Balancing this against Burrow's historic extension indicates Cincinnati's strategic approach to sustaining a competitive roster while managing cap constraints.
As training camp looms, Bengals fans and NFL followers alike will be keen to observe how these dynamics unfold. Higgins' performance under the franchise tag will be pivotal—not just for the team's season, but for his own career trajectory. Whether Cincinnati's gamble pays off with mutual long-term benefits or leads to an eventual parting of ways remains one of the most compelling narratives to follow in the upcoming season.