Tee Higgins has yet to reach a long-term agreement with the Cincinnati Bengals, who used their franchise tag on the wide receiver.
Although Higgins requested a trade last month, he told reporters at a youth football camp Sunday that he expects to play for the Bengals in 2024.
“I do anticipate it,” Higgins said, per WLWT’s Charlie Clifford. “I’ve grown a love for Cincinnati that I didn’t think I would. [I’m] looking forward to it.”
Higgins and the Bengals have until July to negotiate an extension with the Bengals. He’d otherwise play on a tag worth approximately $21.8 million or hold out unless Cincinnati honors his prior trade request.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. is the only other player who hasn’t signed a new deal since getting tagged earlier this offseason.
Higgins established himself as a star wideout by exceeding 1,000 yards with 74 receptions in consecutive seasons. However, he settled for a career-low 42 catches, 656 yards, and five touchdowns in 12 games last season.
While playing a large chunk of a down year without Joe Burrow shouldn’t significantly hurt Higgins’ value, the Bengals also must worry about extending Ja’Marr Chase after awarding Burrow a $275 million deal last September. His long-term outlook in Cincinnati appears murky.
As a result, it could benefit both sides if Higgins returns on the franchise tag and repairs his stock with a bounce-back campaign before hitting the open market next offseason.