Bengals and Tee Higgins Hit a Roadblock. Associated with Cincinnati Bengals since 2020, his journey has hit a significant roadblock.
According to Kelsey Conway’s report for the Cincinnati Enquirer, Bengals’ offer to Higgins has fallen significantly short of the receiver’s monetary expectations.
The insider scoop reveals that the proposal “never approached” the high bracket of $20 million per annum.
Report: Bengals’ offer to Tee Higgins “never approached” $20 million a year. https://t.co/9mirMPiDW6
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) April 30, 2024
The offer did not meet the expectations of Higgins’ representation sufficiently to delve into discussions about guaranteed money. Consequently, it has been more than a year since the two parties have held negotiations.
In the absence of a long-term agreement, Higgins is set to make $21.8 million on his fully guaranteed franchise tag, a pact expanding just for one year. This agreed sum is anticipated to be the foundation for the negotiation process.
Higgins’s request is in line with the deals offered to several contemporary players in the field. Michael Pittman of the Indianapolis Colts, Terry McLaurin of the Washington Commanders, and Deebo Samuel of the San Francisco 49ers, stars all around form benchmark figures for Higgins.
While the Bengals team coach, Zac Taylor, has openly expressed the team’s enthusiasm to have Higgins back on the field, the financial deal is yet to be sealed.
The past season posed a few challenges for the spirited player, notwithstanding his potential. Ailing from a fractured rib and later a hamstring issue, Higgins missed five games in total.
His performance statistics showed 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns- lows for his career to date. Despite the waning season, Higgins showcased his immense potential in impressive 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.
Selected by the Cincinnati in the second round pick in 2020, Higgins holds a record of 257 catches, leading to 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in his stint with the team so far.
