Tee Higgins to Play 2024 Season Under Franchise Tag as Contract Talks Stall
Star wide receiver Tee Higgins will be playing the 2024 NFL season under the franchise tag, following the Cincinnati Bengals' failure to secure a long-term extension with the player by Monday's deadline. This move means Higgins will earn a fully guaranteed $21.8 million this season, amidst a backdrop of unresolved contract negotiations that have left his future with the Bengals in question.
Higgins, who requested a trade in March, had hoped to secure more financial stability and a prolonged commitment from the Bengals. However, the franchise has not acquiesced to his request, opting instead to retain him under the franchise tag. The decision underscores the Bengals’ desire to keep their potent offensive unit intact, ensuring Higgins remains a key target for quarterback Joe Burrow. "It was assumed he would be a top target of Burrow's for years to come," reflecting the high expectations placed on the wide receiver-quarterback duo.
Burrow himself has recently become the highest-paid player in the NFL, having inked a mammoth five-year, $275 million extension with the team. This substantial investment in Burrow highlights the Bengals' commitment to building their future around the young quarterback, making the retention of core assets like Higgins all the more critical, despite the complexities it adds to their salary cap management.
Higgins is set to report to training camp when veterans convene on July 23, ensuring that he will be present for preseason preparations and ready to contribute from the onset of the season. While the immediate future sees him staying put, speculation continues to swirl about potential trade destinations and long-term deals.
Potential Trade Scenarios
Given the impasse on a long-term deal, several teams with ample cap space loom as possible destinations for Higgins. The New York Jets, Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, and Los Angeles Chargers are among those with significant cap space who could potentially make a move.
Currently, the New York Jets have $6.254 million in cap space. While it's not a significant amount, there's a belief that the Jets could maneuver around this limitation by creative accounting, as one unidentified source noted: "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."
The Washington Commanders, with $37 million in cap space, and the New England Patriots, who boast $43.763 million, stand out as more straightforward suitors. Their financial flexibility could make them strong contenders if trade talks were to reopen, and they decide to invest in bolstering their receiving corps with a player of Higgins’ caliber.
The Los Angeles Chargers present an intriguing scenario given their $20.656 million in cap space this season and a projected near $43 million in cap space in 2025. Such cap room could allow the Chargers to absorb Higgins' contract and provide the long-term security he seeks. "A trade and contract for Higgins will most certainly cost less than trading for Adams," remarked another source, hinting at the strategic maneuvering teams might employ to secure the receiver's services.
Impact on Bengals' Strategy
While the immediate retention of Higgins under the franchise tag ensures his presence for the 2024 season, the Bengals face a complex balancing act. With their franchise quarterback's hefty contract now on the books, the team must navigate salary cap constraints while striving to maintain a competitive roster. Keeping Higgins, even temporarily, fortifies their offense but doesn’t address the underlying tension of his long-term status.
As the season progresses, the Bengals will have to weigh their options carefully—whether to revisit trade possibilities, attempt once more to negotiate an extension, or let Higgins play out the season and reassess his future next offseason. For now, the Cincinnati faithful can rest assured that one of their star players will be catching passes from Burrow, at least for another season.