Tagged WR Tee Higgins expects to play for the Bengals in 2024

One of the biggest question marks of the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason appears to be heading toward a solution.

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins expects to play for Cincinnati in 2024, he told reporters at his youth football camp on Sunday. Higgins, who is entering his fifth year in the league, requested a trade at the start of the offseason after Cincinnati awarded him the franchise title.

“I expect it,” Higgins said. according to video from WXIX-TV. “I have developed a love for Cincinnati that I never thought possible. [I’m] look forward to something.”

Over the past two years, Higgins and Cincinnati have been unable to agree on a long-term contract. The two teams made little progress ahead of the 2023 season, where Higgins struggled with injuries.

A rib injury suffered in Week 4 and a hamstring issue before Week 10 forced Higgins to miss a total of five games last year. He finished his career with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns, all career lows.

Despite the contract crisis, the Bengals continued to value Higgins next year. Should Higgins sign the franchise agreement, he will receive a guaranteed one-year contract worth $21.8 million. The two sides have until July 15 at 4 p.m. ET to negotiate a long-term deal.

Of the eight players given the franchise tag this offseason, Higgins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. are the only ones who have not yet agreed to contract extensions with their respective clubs.

That group includes Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who signed a three-year deal last month that includes $41 million in guaranteed money.

Pittman ranks fifth in receiving yards (3,662) by a player selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. Higgins, who was taken one spot ahead of Pittman with the No. 33 overall pick, is fourth in his draft class with 3,684 receiving yards.

The three players ahead of Higgins – Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, CeeDee Lamb of the Dallas Cowboys and Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers – also have not yet received contract extensions. All were first-round picks and are under contract for the 2024 season via the fifth-year rookie option.