An unresolved contract scenario will extend Tee Higgins’ absence in Cincinnati.
The Bengals star receiver nonetheless has not signed his franchise tender and isn’t anticipated to by subsequent week, a supply advised ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday, which might make Higgins ineligible to report for Cincinnati’s organized crew actions that run Could 28-30 and June 3-6.
Cincinnati’s obligatory minicamp is scheduled for June 11-13. Higgins can not rejoin the crew till he indicators.
Higgins and the Bengals have been unable to come back to phrases on a long-term deal. The 2 sides have not mentioned an extension in over a 12 months, a supply advised ESPN. Of the eight gamers who got the franchise tag this offseason, Higgins is the one one who has not signed a multiyear contract.
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Earlier this month, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow voiced assist for Higgins and defensive finish Trey Hendrickson, who’re each in search of new offers.
“These guys have their enterprise they should maintain,” Burrow mentioned Could 7. “I assist them in each approach. Each these guys have earned all the things that has come to them and extra. I will assist them all over it.”
Hendrickson and Higgins each requested trades this offseason.
Hendrickson, who obtained a one-year extension in July 2023, arrived for voluntary offseason exercises final week and mentioned he’s planning on enjoying for the Bengals this season regardless of a agency response on his commerce request.
Higgins, throughout an look at an area youth soccer camp in April, indicated he was planning to play for the Bengals this 12 months as properly.
Higgins and the Bengals have till July 15 to barter a long-term deal. In any other case, Higgins shall be set to earn $21.8 million on a one-year deal if and when he indicators the tender earlier than Nov. 12, which is the ultimate day a participant below the franchise tag should signal and nonetheless have the ability to play this season.
Higgins has been one of many Bengals’ prime broad receivers since being drafted within the second spherical in 2020. The previous Clemson standout has 3,684 receiving yards and 24 receiving touchdowns in 4 seasons.
He has additionally handled accidents. Final 12 months, rib and hamstring points restricted Higgins to simply 12 video games.
