Tee Higgins to Play Under Franchise Tag in 2024 Season
Star wide receiver Tee Higgins will play out the 2024 NFL season under the franchise tag, following the inability to secure a long-term agreement with the Cincinnati Bengals. With contract negotiations reaching a standstill before Monday's deadline, Higgins is set to earn a fully guaranteed $21.8 million for the season.
The Bengals, steadfast in their stance, chose not to honor Higgins' trade request made in March. Despite Higgins' desire to explore opportunities elsewhere, the team remained committed to keeping their dynamic wide receiver on the roster. "It was assumed he would be a top target of Burrow's for years to come," but the current contract impasse has cast a shadow over those expectations.
Tee Higgins will join his teammates when veterans report to training camp on July 23. His presence will be crucial for the Bengals, who recently garnered headlines by making quarterback Joe Burrow the highest-paid player in the NFL. Burrow secured a lucrative five-year, $275 million extension, underscoring the Bengals' dedication to surrounding him with top-tier talent.
With Higgins' long-term future with the Bengals uncertain, speculation about potential landing spots in the event of a future trade has intensified. Evaluating the financial flexibility of various teams reveals potential suitors. The New York Jets currently have $6.254 million in cap space for the season. While this may seem restrictive, the Jets could potentially accommodate Higgins by getting creative with their accounting 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."
Other teams boast more comfortable financial standings. The New England Patriots have $43.763 million in cap space, and the Washington Commanders stand at $37 million. Given their ample financial flexibility, these teams might emerge as feasible trading partners should the Bengals eventually entertain moving Higgins. The Los Angeles Chargers, with $20.656 million in cap space this season and a projection of nearly $43 million by 2025, also appear as a viable contender.
Moreover, the costs involved in a potential trade can influence the desirability of Higgins as an acquisition for interested teams. "A trade and contract for Higgins will most certainly cost less than trading for Adams," making him an appealing alternative for franchises seeking to bolster their receiving corps without compromising their cap space excessively.
As Higgins maneuvers through the upcoming season under the franchise tag, all eyes will be on his performance and the evolving dynamics with the Bengals. His contributions on the field will be closely monitored, not only by Cincinnati fans but also by other teams contemplating future transactions. While questions around his long-term tenure with the Bengals linger, his presence remains pivotal for the team's aspirations this season.
From training camp through the 2024 season, Higgins' journey under the franchise tag is set to be one of the most intriguing storylines to follow, reflecting broader themes of contractual negotiations and team-building strategies in the NFL.