Report: The Bengals’ $20 million annual offer to Tee Higgins “never approached”
Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway claims that the Bengals’ offer to Higgins “never approached” the $20 million annual threshold. The parties haven’t engaged in negotiations in over a year, according to Conway, because the offer wasn’t close enough to persuade Higgins’ counsel to talk about guaranteed money.
Higgins will receive a one-year, fully guaranteed franchise tag for $21.8 million. In talks, that ought to be the first thing to discuss.
More than $20 million is earned by eighteen receivers annually. According to Conway, Higgins is looking for something similar to what the 49ers offered Deebo Samuel, the Commanders gave Terry McLaurin, and the Colts handed receiver Michael Pittman. Pittman just agreed to a three-year, $70 million contract for $23.33 million on average annually. Samuel earns $23.85 million in a season, while McLaurin makes $23.2 million annually.
Zac Taylor, the coach of the Bengals, recently stated that the team is thrilled to have Higgins play for them this year.
“Weโre excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Taylor stated. “He seems to be our best opportunity to lead us to a Super Bowl victory. Over the past four years, working with Tee has been enjoyable. This year should be no different, in my opinion.
The 25-year-old Higgins participated in 12 games the previous season before missing four due to a broken rib and then Week 18 due to a hamstring strain. His career lows of 656 yards and five touchdowns from 42 receptions were achieved. Higgins, a 2020 second-round pick, had 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022. In his four seasons in Cincinnati, he totaled 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns.