Supply – Bengals WR Tee Higgins to signal franchise tender

Cincinnati Bengals huge receiver Tee Higgins is formally within the fold for the upcoming season.

Higgins will signal his franchise tag Saturday, a supply informed ESPN’s Adam Schefter. By signing the tag, the fifth-year huge receiver is now anticipated to be at coaching camp.

The most recent growth comes two days after the Bengals concluded their three-day necessary minicamp. Higgins has missed the complete offseason program whereas the tag remained unsigned.

Earlier within the week, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow stated he remained involved with Higgins for the reason that finish of final season and welcomed the thought of throwing with him earlier than coaching camp begins in late July.

“Tee and I are at all times speaking,” Burrow stated. “I’ve seen Tee a number of instances this offseason. He seems nice. Each time he is prepared to come back again, I will be excited to see him.”

Higgins is ready to earn $21.8 million this season underneath the tag. He and the Bengals can nonetheless negotiate a long-term deal till July 15, although the chance of that appears unlikely.

A 2020 second-round select of Clemson, Higgins has been an instrumental a part of Cincinnati’s offense. In his first 4 seasons, Higgins has totaled 3,684 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.

Final 12 months, Higgins was hampered by rib and hamstring accidents. He performed in 12 video games and had 42 receptions, 656 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Higgins is not the one Bengals huge receiver in search of an enormous extension. Ja’Marr Chase, a three-time Professional Bowler, can also be angling for a brand new deal. Chase additionally missed practically the complete offseason program. Whereas he did report for the necessary minicamp, he was a restricted participant in all three days.

The Bengals want to rebound from a disappointing 2023 season. Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist harm in Week 11, and Cincinnati, the back-to-back AFC North champions, missed the playoffs for the primary time since 2020.