Bengals Franchise Tag Tee Higgins, Keeping Star Wide Receiver for 2024 Season

The move ensures Higgins remains with Cincinnati amidst speculation of a potential trade, highlighting his importance to the team's future.

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins, ensuring he remains with the team for at least the 2024 season with a guaranteed $21.8 million.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin and head coach Zac Taylor emphasized the team's desire to keep Higgins, highlighting his significant contribution and fit with the team.
Despite the franchise tag, speculation about a potential trade persists, with Tobin acknowledging the difficulty in predicting future scenarios but not ruling out the possibility.
The decision to tag Higgins early was influenced by the Bengals' salary cap management and the intention to keep a key player, amidst considerations for future contracts of other star players like Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.
Higgins' performance, despite a career-low in receiving yards due to injury in the previous season, and his overall contribution to the Bengals' success in recent years, were key factors in the decision to franchise tag him.