The Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Tee Higgins failed to finalize a long-term contract agreement ahead of the Monday deadline at 4 p.m. ET, according to a report by ESPN’s Ben Baby. As a result, Higgins is slated to play the upcoming 2024-25 NFL season under a one-year franchise tag, which will earn him $21.8 million.

The franchise tag, implemented by the Bengals back in February, means Higgins cannot negotiate a new contract with the team until after the conclusion of the regular season. Following that period, Higgins will have the opportunity to pursue a new deal in Cincinnati or explore free agency. Alternatively, the Bengals could opt to use the franchise tag on him for a consecutive year.

This situation marks a twist in Higgins’ offseason saga. Shortly after receiving the franchise tag earlier this year, Higgins reportedly expressed interest in a trade, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. However, just a month later, Higgins publicly stated his commitment to playing for the Bengals in 2024, indicating he was looking forward to the upcoming season. He officially signed the franchise tag tender in June, solidifying his status for the upcoming campaign.

Although Higgins did not secure the multi-year contract he sought during this offseason, he now has the opportunity to showcase his abilities and potentially earn a lucrative deal next year with a strong performance on the field. After a standout start to his NFL career, which included consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, Higgins faced setbacks in 2023 due to injuries, limiting him to just 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games—both career lows.

At 25 years old, Higgins remains a pivotal part of the Bengals’ plans moving forward. He will aim to contribute significantly as the team looks to rebound from a disappointing 2023 season, where they finished with a 9-8 record. The Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Burrow—who was hampered by a wrist injury that limited him to 10 games last season—are eager to return to their Super Bowl-contending form, having made a Super Bowl appearance just two years ago. With much of their roster intact, including Higgins, Cincinnati aims to make a strong push in the upcoming NFL season.

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