Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins made an interesting decision following his holdout during OTAs. The wide receiver appears to be on course to join the team for training camp in July after missing mandatory minicamp this month.
Tee Higgins was ineligible for Cincinnati Bengals’ OTAs this spring
![BREAKING: Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins' Eligibility Suddenly Changes After OTAs As He Signs Franchise Tender 1 USATSI 21144510 168400517 lowres](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21144510_168400517_lowres-682x1024.jpg)
As previously discussed on GH, Higgins was ineligible to join the Bengals for OTAs this month after he chose not to sign his franchise tender before OTAs::
Per an ESPN report Tuesday, the Bengals have drawn up the paperwork for Higgins to sign, but he has not signed the franchise tender. Adam Schefter with ESPN reported Higgins was not expected to sign his franchise tender by this week, making him ineligible to join the team until he signs:
The Bengals star receiver still has not signed his franchise tender and is not expected to by next week, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday, which would make Higgins ineligible to report for Cincinnati’s organized team activities that run May 28-30 and June 3-6.
Cincinnati’s mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 11-13. Higgins cannot rejoin the team until he signs.
Higgins requested a trade this offseason after the Bengals slapped him with the franchise tag. The Bengals reportedly had not had contract talks with Higgins for over a year when they applied the franchise tag.
With quarterback Joe Burrow’s $55 million per year salary and Ja’Marr Chase wanting to receive more in a contract extension than the Minnesota Vikings gave Justin Jefferson, the Bengals aren’t expected to give Higgins a new deal. However, the team wants Higgins to play out his contract in a bid to win a Super Bowl in the upcoming season.
Higgins is signing the franchise tag
![BREAKING: Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins' Eligibility Suddenly Changes After OTAs As He Signs Franchise Tender 2 USATSI 22036967 168400517 lowres](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_22036967_168400517_lowres-683x1024.webp)
With #Bengals WR Tee Higgins signing his franchise tag today, it means he’ll show up for training camp with his teammates. He’s open to an extension off the tag, and we shall see if it happens. But he’s now locked in and under contract.
NFL fans’ initial reaction to the news
![BREAKING: Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins' Eligibility Suddenly Changes After OTAs As He Signs Franchise Tender 3 USATSI 21504149 168400517 lowres](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_21504149_168400517_lowres-682x1024.jpg)
Fans reacted to Higgins signing his tender on social media. Some were surprised after he declined to join the team for OTAs, while others think he will continue to push for a trade. Bengals fans are happy he’ll help the team push for a Super Bowl.
He caved in finally
— BestballJonesy 🏈 (@BestballJonesy) June 15, 2024
Welcome back tee
— David Speakman (@DavidSp11983858) June 15, 2024
Tag and trade incoming
— cole (@cole_strangest) June 15, 2024
At least he’ll be in camp!
— MetaRides, Inc. (@MetaRidesInc) June 15, 2024
Cincinnati (and fans in other cities like myself) love you, @teehiggins5 ! So happy to have you for our Super Bowl run this year!!!
— Jeremiah Cooper (@jwcoop03) June 15, 2024
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