After four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Tee Higgins has received the franchise tag and will not hit free agency.
Source: The #Bengals informed star WR Tee Higgins that they are franchising him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 24, 2024
Bengals Use Franchise Tag on Tee Higgins
After drafting Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bengals decided to get him a new toy and took Higgins out of Clemson with the 33rd pick. Higgins was a star a Clemson. In his two years as a starter, Higgins hauled in 118 passes for 2,103 yards and 25 touchdowns. The 2018 CFP National Champion even suited up against Burrow and LSU in the 2019 CFP National Championship.
As a rookie in 2020 with Burrow, Higgins was not initially expected to unseat Tyler Boyd as WR1 and he only played 15 snaps in Week 1. Just two weeks later, Higgins notched his first career two-touchdown game in the tie with the Eagles. His rookie season was shaping up nicely up until he was knocked out of the game against the Ravens in Week 17. In all, Higgins finished his first season with 908 yards and six touchdowns off of 67 receptions. He recorded a pair of 100+ yard days and was really making strides.
In year two, Higgins paired up with Ja’Marr Chase. They showed how they are the top receiving duo in the NFL. Higgins started off the year by scoring in each of the first two contests. After missing both Week 3 and Week 4, Higgins was able to kick it into gear. In total, Higgins finished with 1,091 yards and six touchdowns off of 74 receptions in 14 games. He also notches four 100+ yard games, three of which came back-to-back-to-back in Weeks 12, 13, and 14.
In the Super Bowl run, Higgins only got better as the stakes got higher. He started off with just one catch for 10 yards against the Raiders. Then, against the Titans, Higgins hauled in seven passes for 96 yards. In the AFC Championship, he contributed 103 yards off of six receptions. Finally, in Super Bowl LVI, Higgins had an argument for Super Bowl MVP with his four catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2022, Higgins continued his ways. He started off the season with 315 yards and two touchdowns off of 20 receptions in the first four games. He then missed the majority of the Week 5 contest and then came back with 546 yards and three scores over the next seven games. He only played one snap in the win over Cleveland in Week 14. In total, Higgins added 1,029 yards and seven touchdowns to his tally in 16 games (technically 14 due to how early he was knocked out of those two games).
In the three-game playoff run, Higgins produced 148 yards and a touchdown off of 13 receptions.
In 2023, Higgins was hampered by hamstring and rib injuries that sidelined him for at least five games. The hamstring issues have been something Higgins has dealt with since his Clemson days. In 12 games, Higgins recorded 656 yards and five touchdowns off of just 42 receptions.
Main Image: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
