Just days before free agency opens and the new league year begins, the Cincinnati Bengals placed a franchise tag on their #2 wide receiver Tee Higgins. This marks the seconds straight that the Bengals placed a tag on Higgins.
Higgins had a one word reaction to the franchise tag and posted it on his X account. The post simply just said “tag,” the cryptic message has fans confused whether or not Higgins is pleased with the current situation he is in.
Higgins isn’t shy about posting hidden meaning messages on social media about his future and even discussed in February about his future in Cincinnati.
“Obviously, we want to build something here in Cincy, but it's not in my hands right now,” Higgins told reporters. “I've got to do what I've got to do and if that's go to another team, you know, that's what happens.”
It’s clear that Higgins wants to stay in Cincy, but made it clear that if they’re unable to pay then he’ll likely be heading somewhere else this offseason.
His quarterback, Joe Burrow, has made it known he wants to keep Higgins in Cincinnati and even restricted his contract during the offseason so the Bengals would have more leverage in retaining Higgins.
Ja’Marr Chase has also been adamant about keeping the trio together. Having three players return would make the Bengals offense an elite powerhouse, but keeping them altogether will be the hardest job.
Burrow is locked up in Cincy for a few more years, but Chase has one year remaining on his rookie contract.
Chase is coming off the best season of his NFL career and will likely be asking for a big payday himself when his contract expires. Having three star players is nice, but it can be rather expensive for a franchise.
If you place Higgins on any other team; such as the Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts or even the Chicago Bears, he would be the #1 wide receiver on each of those squads.
However, since Higgins is playing with Chase he’s automatically going to be the #2. Higgins doesn’t seem to mind that he’s the #2 as long Cincy keeps winning games and that he gets his money.
Being a #2 wide receiver comes with many different sacrifices as well. As a #2, Higgins won’t get as many all-pro selections, less money than a #1 receiver and far less popularity for the fans.
If the Bengals keep the trio together and Cincy becomes a powerhouse in the near future, then it certainly wouldn’t bother Higgins at all if he’s the #2, as long as he gets paid.
Higgins knows his worth and is willing to go to another team to do so. It seems like that would be a last resort for him as he wants to stay and win in Cincinnati, but are the Bengals organization willing to cough up the dough? We’ll find out this offseason.
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