Amidst Tee Higgins and Bengals’ Stand-Off, When Was the Last Time an NFL Star Refused to Sign the Franchise Tag?

The Cincinnati Bengals continue to be riddled with problems in their wide receiver department. While the team signed Ja’Marr Chase through 2025, they still haven’t gotten a word from their other prominent receiver Tee Higgins. In March, the Bengals tried to place a franchise tag on Higgins, but to their surprise, the WR hasn’t signed the tender yet.

Taking to this, Adam Schefter came out with breaking news from the Bengals’ corner of the NFL. It has also become apparent now that if Higgins doesn’t take the deal, he will miss out on the organized team workout activities starting next week. What would the 25-year-old receiver do? And is he the first one to miss out on signing the franchise tag?

Schefter took to Instagram and shared more information on Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals’ conundrum. Schefter’s post on Instagram said, “Bengals WR Tee Higgins still has not signed his franchise tender and is not expected to by next week, per source. This would make him ineligible to report back to the Bengals in time for their organized team activities next week. Higgins cannot rejoin the team until he signs.”

It’s worth noting that the receiver will make $21.8 million if he accepts the deal. However, since he’s not under contract, the WR cannot join the team until he decides. Higgins has till July 15 to agree to a long-term extension. Also, he’s the only franchise-tagged player who hasn’t signed a long-term deal with his existing team in this off season.

About a few months ago, Higgins requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals and that was when the team decided to place a tag on him. Higgins did so because he was upset that the Bengals didn’t consider giving him a long-term deal. However, he later came through and said that he wanted to remain a Bengal.

From the information available, it’s safe to say that Higgins is playing with a double-edged sword right now. On one hand he’s holding out to get what he wants and on the other, the receiver might suffer the same fate as Le’Veon Bell, the Tampa Bay running back.

Will Tee Higgins suffer Le’Veon Bell’s fate?

It was 2018 and Bell engaged in one of the highest profile holdouts the NFL has ever seen. The RB was already franchise tagged once and sought a long-term deal and sat out the while 2018 season in boycott. After sitting that season out, Bell was able to secure a 4-year, $52 million contract with the New York Jets with $27 million in guarantees. Unfortunately for him, he stayed with the Jets for just two seasons.

The RB played the next seasons with KC Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens, and now he plays with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Bell later realized the mistake that he’s made leaving the team that made him a 3x Pro Bowler and gave him undying support. Bell later apologized to the team and its fans.

“I never apologized. I’m gonna say I apologize for leaving the best damn fans there is in this damn world,” said the RB and added, “I shouldn’t have left. I apologize. I should never have left. I apologize. That’s my fault. That’s on me.” In his last 4 seasons, the RB has played only 19 games, which is a huge hit on his professional career.

That’s what was meant by the idea of a double-edged sword. In a pursuit of a lucrative deal Higgins might end up harming his career in the long run.