With Extension ‘Unlikely’, NFL Insider Reveals How Tee Higgins Could Earn ‘A Lot of Money’ as Clock Starts Ticking for Bengals

Tee Higgins may have hit the jackpot! After months of speculation, the Cincinnati Bengals star finally signed the contract tender after the team put a franchise tag on him. But initially, Higgins was unpleased with the franchise, as he wanted a long-term contract with the Bengals and even requested a trade. While the player has decided to put the pen to paper despite his initial dissatisfaction, it might turn out to be incredibly lucrative for Higgins.

NFL analyst and insider Ian Rapoport made an interesting observation and revealed why Higgins should be excited about his future. Although the Bengals have secured Higgins’ services for the upcoming season, they can’t rest on their laurels as the clock is ticking. With the possibility of an extension looking “unlikely” as per Rapoport, the two parties will have till July 15 to sort out a long-term deal. Ian praised the Tennessee native for being “patient” and playing the “waiting” game.

Rapoport took to X and claimed that Tee “has made himself a lot of money in the future.” The 25-year-old will earn $21.8 million for the 2024 season after the franchise tag. And, Higgins has the chance to improve his current $8 million Bengals contract by many folds if he explores free agency after the current season.

Higgins will look at Vikings WR Justin Jefferson’s recent four-year $140 million deal that turned the latter into the highest-paid player ever in his position. Higgins’ argument only bolsters even more considering the 3,684 yards in the four seasons for the Bengals, which is more than what Deebo Samuel (3,320) and Michael Pittman Jr. (3,662) have since 2020 and both of them earn well over $20 million per year. While Tee was unhappy with his contract situation, he did seem apprehensive about leaving the team.

Tee Higgins is loving life in Cincinnati

Earlier in March, Tee Higgins tried to make amends with the Cincinnati Bengals after wanting a trade. Born in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Higgins moved to Cincinnati when the Bengals drafted him in 2020. After spending four good seasons, Higgins is not ready to say goodbye to the city just yet! In an interview with I Am Athlete, Higgins expressed it would be “bittersweet” to leave the Bengals in a trade.

“I would love to come back,” he said. “Grew as a player, got good new friendships. Great relationships with people not in the facility, in the City of Cincinnati, the fans are great. So I would definitely love to be here.”

Not only the player himself, but even the Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor is keen on keeping Higgins. Taylor even went as far as to call Tee the “best chance” to win a Super Bowl. Now that Clemson alumnus is set to play the 2024 season for the Bengals, fans can expect the team to put up a good fight, especially if the star quarterback Joe Burrow can keep himself fit. Speaking of Burrow, even the star QB expressed his desire to continue his partnership with Higgins.

Can the Bengals No. 85 find an agreement with the team and continue the good run? Only time will tell.