Kelsey Conway reports that Bengals WR Tee Higgins is signing his franchise tag and will report for training camp when it begins.
Conway previously reported that Higgins was initially looking for a similar contract to the three-year, $70 million deal the Colts gave WR Michael Pittman this offseason.
However, in their contract talks with Higgins, the Bengals never approached the $20 million per year range.
Indications are that Higgins will play out the year under the franchise tag before hitting the open market again next year. He has said that he would love to sign a long-term deal with the Bengals.
Ian Rapoport notes that while an extension is still possible, it is now considered unlikely as the wide receiver market has shifted considerably and Higgins could now be searching for more money than he was initially.
Higgins, 25, is a former second-round pick by the Bengals in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson. He just finished the final year of a four-year, $8,686,785 rookie contract and made a base salary of $2,993,000 in 2023.
He was set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2024 when the Bengals placed the franchise tag on him, which will cost the team around $21.8 million fully guaranteed for the 2024 season.
In 2023, Higgins appeared in 12 games for the Bengals and recorded 42 receptions on 76 targets for 656 yards receiving and five touchdowns.
We will have more on Higgins as it becomes available.
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