For the past three seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals have had one of the most dominant wide receiver combinations in the entire league with Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase leading the way for the team. But it sounds like Cincinnati is now one step closer to losing one of those superstars.
On Sunday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that the Cincinnati Bengals and Tee Higgins were not expected to come to terms on a long-term extension, meaning that the star wide receiver is expected to become a free agent next season.
” It has appeared evident for some time, but for clarity: The #Bengals and star WR Tee Higgins will not do an extension by Monday’s deadline. He’s signed his franchise tag, he’ll play on it, then be one of the top free agents in the 2025 offseason,” Rapoport said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter.
It has appeared evident for some time, but for clarity:
The #Bengals and star WR Tee Higgins will not do an extension by Monday’s deadline. He’s signed his franchise tag, he’ll play on it, then be one of the top free agents in the 2025 offseason. pic.twitter.com/kO8omw8Gol
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 14, 2024
Obviously, this is pretty brutal news for the Bengals as it means there is a significant chance that this could be Higgins’ last season with the team. Naturally, the news led to a lot of reactions on social media.
According to OTC, only the Cardinals are projected to have more cap space than the #Patriots in 2025
If Drake Maye sees the field and plays well this season… https://t.co/5Ry4cm48TE
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) July 14, 2024
There's a reason Higgins isn't locked in.
He's probably not worth it. https://t.co/qidDUX62bn
— ZeeBee (@BellinoZee) July 14, 2024
Seemed pretty obvious this is what they were going to do all along.
Players have no leverage on the tag.
But #HigginsWatch2025 begins https://t.co/yda7kgn4Dy
— TicTacTitans (@TicTacTitans) July 14, 2024
If Tee Higgins sustains even the slightest injury in 2024, could he sit out multiple games to “protect” himself for free agency?
Fantasy players should be careful. https://t.co/BGDgZJTTr6
— Brian Drake (@DrakeFantasy) July 14, 2024
Unhappy Tee, unhappy Hendrickson, and I’m sure Jamar is still wondering why he doesn’t have an extension rn either. Hilarious front office. https://t.co/SexLVPgGRd
— Ethan🫐 (@SoftlyAugust) July 14, 2024
If the Patriots were willing to give a 29 year-old Calvin Ridley $22M deal when the League Cap was $255.4M how much more will they be willing to give Tee Higgins who will turn 26 in January with a larger cap? https://t.co/yR9eOKBxp6
— Patscap (@patscap) July 14, 2024
Since he was selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Bengals, Higgins has emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the league. We’ll have to see what his future holds.
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