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ESPN insider Adam Schefter had a heated debate with Dan Orlovsky on this Wednesday’s edition of “NFL Live.”
This argument stemmed from a segment about Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins’ outlook for the 2024 season. He’s currently set to play on the franchise tag.
Schefter believes Higgins could make a “business decision” this fall if he’s not feeling 100 percent.
“What happens in the middle of the season if and when his knee is creaky, his hamstring is tight, his shoulder is sore,” Schefter told Orlovsky. “Is he playing through those injuries weeks before he becomes a free agent or is he going to be making a business decision?”
Schefter thought he teed up Orlovsky for an easy answer, but that wasn’t the case. The former NFL quarterback said, “You think a team is going to randomly pay you if he’s not healthy?”
It didn’t take long for Schefter to answer that question.
“Absolutely,” Schefter replied emphatically. “He’s getting paid!”
Orlovsky tried to defend himself, but Schefter quickly cut him off to bring up an example where an injured star player got paid the following offseason.
“I’ll go back to Jairus Byrd, a safety in Buffalo. He had all kind of injury issues, becomes a free agent, and New Orleans makes him the highest-paid safety in football,” Schefter said. “Somebody, no matter what season Tee Higgins has, is going to pay him.”
Adam Schefter and Dan Orlovsky (followed by Marcus Spears) get into it over Tee Higgins on NFL Live. 🏈📺 pic.twitter.com/WFDjf7AmJl
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 15, 2024
Higgins received the $21.8 million franchise tag from the Bengals. The two sides have until July 15 to work out a long-term deal.
As of now, it sounds like the 2024 season will mark Higgins’ last in Cincinnati.