The Cincinnati Bengals have been in an ongoing dialogue with wide receiver Tee Higgins since they placed the franchise tag on him in February.
Initially, there was a trade request right after the franchise tag was placed.
Then, Higgins seemed to indicate that he would play for the Bengals.
Later, another trade request came in the week leading up to the 2024 NFL draft.
Now, there’s some clarity on what Higgins has been seeking in a contract extension. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, he was looking for a 3-year, $70 million extension, similar to the 3-year, $71.5 million extension signed by Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman in February 2024. Pittman’s deal included $46 million in guaranteed money.
Higgins received the franchise tag from the Bengals despite a career-worst season in 2023, for which he will earn $21.8 million in 2024.
Higgins was a second-round pick by the Bengals in 2020 (No. 33 overall) out of Clemson and signed a 4-year, $8.68 million rookie contract. He had over 900 receiving yards as a rookie and back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons in 2021 and 2022.
In Super Bowl LVI, Higgins had four receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns.
However, in 2023, his production dropped significantly with career lows in receptions (42), receiving yards (656), and touchdowns (5). He also missed a career-high six games due to rib and hamstring injuries.
Pittman had 109 receptions for 1,152 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns in 2023 leading up to his contract extension.
Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor emphasized his expectations for Higgins in 2024: “We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us. We think he’s our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl.”
The Bengals may have prepared for a potential departure by drafting Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton in the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. Burton could be a high-impact rookie for the Bengals, having shown potential during his college career at Georgia and Alabama. He led Alabama in receiving each of the last two seasons and finished 2023 with 39 receptions for 798 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, averaging 20.5 yards per catch.
As long as Higgins plays, Burton could serve as a WR3 for the Bengals behind NFL All-Pro Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins. According to NFL analyst Lance Zierlein, “Burton’s tape is very appealing… He can fight through press, get physical at the break point, and carve out space on 50/50 balls.”