The Cincinnati Bengals organization could be in a difficult position heading into the 2024 season. Two of the team’s best stars requested moves prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, potentially causing major contract concerns for the front office. Tee Higgins, a receiver, and Trey Hendrickson, a defensive end, have both demanded moves unless they are offered better contracts.
The Bengals chose to use the franchise tag on top receiver Higgins, which carries a guaranteed salary of $21.816 million. However, Higgins has chosen to remain a contract holdout rather than sign on the dotted line. As a result, the receiver has failed to attend OTAs and may also miss training camp. Higgins has been looking for a long-term team. Higgins has decided to wait things out because it appears that the Bengals do not like the notion. Oddly, Higgins stated that he “expects” to play with the squad in 2024, but his most recent social media post appears to contradict this.
Higgins posted on his own Instagram feed, showing personal photos of himself dressed up and working out. The caption simply states, “I tell em no, they can’t wait to call me selfish…” Higgins could be quoting some favorite lyrics, but the post was cryptically timed to coincide with his contract holdout. Could the lyrics and text imply that the Bengals offered him a contract that he had declined? This is all speculation, but Higgins appears to be set on signing a new contract and expects a trade if he doesn’t.
Before the draft took place, there had been multiple rumors involving Higgins in trade talks with multiple teams. One of the biggest had the Bengals receiver landing with the Los Angeles Chargers in a late offseason trade. One issue: whichever team acquired Higgins would need to offer him a long-term deal as a condition of the trade.
A lot of teams have already spent big on free-agent acquisitions in preparation for the 2024 season. That doesn’t mean no team can afford make a play to land Higgins, but carving out a long-term deal right now would be difficult for most organizations.
It’s hard not to understand why Higgins wants a long-term deal. His rookie season in 2020 saw the playmaker securing 908 yards and six touchdowns. In 2021, he amassed 1,091 yards and six touchdowns. The 2022 season was very similar, as Higgins brought in 1,029 yards and seven touchdowns. Even though he was injured in 2023, Higgins still managed 656 yards and eight touchdowns.
There is no denying that Higgins is a viable offensive weapon, and one would argue he is a natural WR1. However, the Bengals could view him as an injury risk considering he missed five games. Either way, he’s vastly better than most receivers on NFL rosters.
A social media post isn’t an indication of a trade, but Higgins has not shown up to OTAs yet. A training camp holdout might also force the Bengals to cave, otherwise they will be down a big offensive piece in the 2024 season.
