The Cincinnati Bengals had a down year in 2023 along with multiple gruesome injuries to star players including quarterback Joe Burrow. There have been several questions regarding the future of the team and who could be on the move this offseason. Star receiver Tee Higgins has been rumored to sign with a new squad as he became a free agent this offseason, and now, it seems his fate has been decided according to new reports.
Cincinnati Bengals Make Decision On Tee Higgins
The Bengals have officially informed Higgins that they will be franchise-tagging him, meaning he is now off of the open market as free agency quickly approaches. The tag is expected to be around $21.8 million fully guaranteed, making him the first tagged player during this offseason according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport.
The franchise tag number is expected to be around $21.8M, fully guaranteed, for the #Bengals and Tee Higgins. The first tagged player of this window. https://t.co/dsoQEeThv5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 24, 2024
Bengals Fans React
This news was shocking to many fans as Higgins was seen as a “cap casualty” heading into the offseason, leading many fans and analysts to believe that he would sign with a new squad in 2024. Bengals fans are happy with the team’s decision to keep the star receiver as he has been a fan favorite since joining the team in 2020. Here are some of the reactions on social media to the big news:
I didn’t see that one coming! Damn
— Mr Hankey (@GD312chicago) February 24, 2024
Without him, Joe Burrow is a Daniel jones
— Keith mcclendon (@KeithMcclendo55) February 24, 2024
Yikes! Talk about pricey tags! But hey, you can't put a price on talent, right? Looks like Higgins is about to have a ballin' season!
— AyleeBloom (@AyleeBloom) February 24, 2024
Higgins has amounted to 3,684 receiving yards, 257 receptions, and 24 touchdowns in his NFL career and has been a top target for Burrow aside from Ja’Marr Chase. While rumors still speculate that he could still be traded, it looks like the star receiver will remain with the team long term according to fans and analysts.
Did Cincinnati Make The Right Decision?
While his production dropped significantly in 2023, Higgins has still been one of the top receivers in the league and a key component of one of the scariest receiving corps in the NFL. Coming off of an injury-riddled season along with many questions regarding his future, Bengals fans are expecting a big leap in 2024 from the star receiver. Do you think Cincinnati made the right decision tagging Higgins, or should they have let him test free agency?
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