“Too much money, would let him walk!” – Bengals franchise tagging WR Tee Higgins for around $21.8 million doesn’t sit well with fans on social media

Higgins is staying Cincinnati despite interests from several other franchises.

“Too much money, would let him walk!” – Bengals franchise tagging WR Tee Higgins for around $21.8 million doesn’t sit well with fans on social media

Tee Higgins (Image via IMAGO)

Deshaun Watson may not be pleased to hear this news, but Tee Higgins is not leaving the Cincinnati Bengals. That’s because they are franchise-tagging the young wide receiver for the 2024 season.

Higgins became the first NFL player to get franchise-tagged in the offseason. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first broke the news on X (formerly Twitter) that the Bengals would not part ways with the Clemson alumnus.

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Rapoport wrote that Higgins’ rumored contract is expected to be around $21.8 million, fully guaranteed. The Bengals will have until March 5 to sit with his agent and make things official.

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The 25-year-old battled through several injuries, from a fractured rib to an ankle injury, limiting his appearance to just 12 games. He caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns, registering 15.6 yards, the best output of his career.

Higgins staying with the Bengals should be music to both Joe Burrow and head coach Zac Taylor‘s ears. After the last season concluded, Taylor revealed that,

It would be hard to imagine life without Higgins.

The feeling is mutual for Higgins, who was looking forward to playing with a fit Burrow.

We've been playing together for three or four years now, and I personally would love to be back playing with those guys.
Higgins told Bleacher Report

But the amount of money isn’t sitting well with the football fans. They argue it’s too much for a player to earn for one season, considering he could miss out if he gets injured.

https://twitter.com/CAandDre/status/1761229570139627717

Which player should the Bengals focus on next after franchise-tagging Tee Higgins?

The Bengals had to endure several injuries during the 2023 season. Besides Tee Higgins, Burrow, after securing a record-breaking $275 million deal, missed a chunk of game time after hurting his wrist on his throwing arm. So the responsibility of scoring touchdowns fell upon Ja’Marr Chase and running back Joe Mixon. 

"Too much money, would let him walk!" - Bengals franchise tagging WR Tee Higgins for around $21.8 million doesn't sit well with fans on social media
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) before an NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs on Dec 31, 2023 (Image via IMAGO)

Jake Browning stepped in for Burrow and performed admirably, upping his stock. With Browning at the helm, the Bengals went 4-3, his best turnout. The Bengals finished with 9-8, Taylor’s third straight campaign with .500. But it wasn’t enough for them to book a place in the playoffs.

Despite his regular quarterback not throwing the football, Chase recorded the most catches in his NFL career, with 100 for 1216 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. Mixon played all 17 games, rushing 257 times for 1034 yards and 9 touchdowns, along with 52 receptions for 376 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.

Yet when the 2024 season rolls around, Burrow will resume as the starter for the Bengals. As for further contract negotiations, Chase is eligible to enter free agency in 2026. If the Bengals do extend his stay in Ohio, then perhaps he may sign a deal in the region of $50 to $55 million. With Tee Higgins locked down for at least one more season, the next focus will be Chase.

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