Report: Bengals WR Tee Higgins signs franchise tag

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) looks on during warmups before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)

CINCINNATI, Ohio (WDTN) – Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is signing his franchise tag, according to multiple reports including ESPN on Saturday. He is expected to report to the start of training camp in late July.

The Bengals had previously tagged the 25-year-old wideout as a franchise player in late February, preventing Higgins from becoming a free agent.

Under the tag, Higgins will make $21.816 million fully guaranteed for the 2024 season.

Although the franchise tender signing is a step closer to seeing Higgins back in the stripes next season, the two sides are reportedly not close on making a long-term deal anytime soon which would make this his last year in Cincinnati.

Higgins also requested a trade from the team in mid March.

The Clemson product had not participated in the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp that concluded earlier this week, but is expected to be at training camp later this summer.

Since being drafted by Cincinnati in 2020, Higgins has caught 257 passes for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in four seasons with the Bengals.