Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is apparently unwilling to wait very long to figure out his NFL future.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini on The Scoop City podcast, Higgins “wants to have an answer” for his contract status and NFL future “very soon.”
Meaning, Higgins wants to know quickly and not let things drag out into NFL free agency itself in March, if possible.
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This isn’t all that shocking. One could reasonably suggest Higgins feels that he’s done his part already — he switched agents away from a guy the Bengals have never done an extension with. And reports have said he’s been in lockstep with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase about staying in town long-term.
Adding to that, keep in mind that Higgins signed his franchise tag as early as possible last summer to avoid drama and didn’t hold out. A more recent report said his top goal isn’t necessarily to be a No. 1 wideout, either.
These things considered, it feels like all the Bengals have to do is throw Higgins and his new reps what they believe to be a fair contract and this saga could end well before free agency.
Based on how these things usually go, though, Higgins is likely to test the market and see what’s out there. The Bengals, meanwhile, have to juggle Chase’s extension and the inevitable Trey Hendrickson drama — all while trying to upgrade other spots on the roster, too.