In a notable development in the NFL, star wide receiver Tee Higgins is set to play out the 2024 season under the franchise tag with the Cincinnati Bengals. This comes after contract negotiations between Higgins and the Bengals failed to secure a long-term extension before Monday's deadline.
Higgins, a dynamic and important part of the Bengals’ offensive arsenal, will be guaranteed $21.8 million for the 2024 season. Despite his earlier request for a trade in March, the Bengals chose not to comply, indicating their desire to retain Higgins even if only for a single season.
Bengals' Roster Moves
The Bengals have made significant financial commitments recently, notably making quarterback Joe Burrow the highest-paid player in the NFL with a substantial five-year, $275 million extension. This commitment to Burrow underscores the franchise's trust in him as their cornerstone while also highlighting the financial balancing act required to retain other top talents, such as Higgins.
Tee Higgins has been regarded as a critical weapon for Burrow, with many assuming he would remain one of Burrow's top targets for years to come. However, the current franchise tag situation leaves his long-term future with the team uncertain.
Potential Trade Scenarios
While the Bengals have elected to keep Higgins under the franchise tag, the possibility of a trade has been a topic of considerable discussion. Among the interested parties, the New York Jets, despite tight cap constraints with only $6.254 million available, could potentially make a move for Higgins. "The New York Jets don't have a ton of cap space left to play with for this season," an anonymous source indicated. "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 in better financial positions could also emerge as suitors. The Washington Commanders boast a comfortable $37 million in cap space, while the New England Patriots have an even more significant $43.763 million available. The Los Angeles Chargers have $20.656 million in current cap space and are projected to have nearly $43 million by 2025, potentially positioning them as a competitive bidder for Higgins' talents.
Higgins’ situation could garner comparisons to other high-profile trades. "A trade and contract for Higgins will most certainly cost less than trading for Adams," suggested one commentator. This comparison points to Higgins' affordable cost relative to other elite receivers on the market.
Upcoming Season and Training Camp
Despite the intrigue surrounding his future, Higgins is committed to the upcoming season and will report to training camp along with the other veterans on July 23. His presence is expected to be a significant boost for the Bengals, who are looking to build on their recent successes and make a deeper playoff run.
As the season approaches, all eyes will be on how Higgins’ year under the franchise tag unfolds and whether a mid-season move or future trade might shift the landscape. His performance and the Bengals' continued cap strategies will undoubtedly be critical topics of discussion in the coming months.
Tee Higgins' story is a developing chapter in the NFL narrative, emblematic of the complex dance between player aspirations and team management. How it resolves will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.