Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has signed his franchise tender, securing his contract for the upcoming 2024 NFL season. The tender is worth $21.8 million.
Higgins had been holding out for a long-term contract extension but ultimately decided to sign the one-year deal instead.
The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins back in March, securing his rights for the upcoming season while negotiations for a long-term deal continued. However, with training camp set to begin soon and no agreement in sight, Higgins opted to sign the tender and report to camp.
Despite missing out on the entire offseason program due to his holdout, Higgins is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. He will join fellow wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who also signed his franchise tender earlier this month.
Higgins has been a valuable asset for the Bengals since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson. In his first four seasons with the team, he has totaled 3,684 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
Last season, Higgins was limited to just 12 games due to injuries. He finished the year with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns.
The Bengals are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season in which they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to be healthy after suffering a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11, and Higgins will be an integral part of the team's passing attack alongside Chase.
The Bengals still have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal with Higgins. However, given the current state of the wide receiver market and the financial commitments made to other players, it remains to be seen if a multi-year contract will be possible.
