The Cincinnati Bengals using a franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins was expected.
So was the ensuing debate.
With Higgins’ tag coming in at $21.8 million and the Bengals having until the summer to work out an extension with him, fans have wondered what the future might hold for both parties.
For some, getting at least one more year of Higgins alongside Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase is a no-brainer of a move. Some want an extension. But for others, the tag-and-trade route makes sense out of the concern that this will turn into another Jessie Bates situation for the Bengals.
Here’s a look at some of the debate and best reactions in the wake of the news the Bengals informed Higgins of the tag.
If someone makes an offer for Tee Higgins that doesn't start with "Our first pick and…" pic.twitter.com/qWMbxaZvqw
— Matt (@CoachMinich) February 24, 2024
This app is insanely cringey when it comes to Tee Higgins.
– he isn’t the key to a Super Bowl run
– he isn’t some Alpha many teams are trading a package of picks including a 1st rounder forTouch grass if you think either of those are true.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) February 24, 2024
Anyone that says the Bengals will get a 3rd round Compensatory Pick in 2026 for Tee Higgins, I have a question.
Did they get a pick for letting Jessie Bates walk???
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) February 24, 2024
Bengal Fan 🙇:
“Just once I want the Bengals in my lifetime to go all in to win it all”.Same Bengal Fan 🙇:
“Let’s move Tee Higgins play it safe & prepare for the future. Let’s just take a 2nd rd pick & get cap space even though we have the 5th most cap space in the NFL”.— ZIM (@zimwhodey) February 24, 2024
My thoughts on the Tee Higgins Franchise tag situation (although technically not official, yet):
1. I am not optimistic an extension gets done. Looking at their salary cap situation, the amount of the projected tag was “built in” for the 2024 season. The Bengals anticipated this…
— Jesse James (@AgentJesseJames) February 24, 2024
If an extension cannot be reached, the best time to trade Tee Higgins would not be this offseason when the Bengals would be "selling low" due to his least productive season.
The best time would be in 2025 after applying the Tag again with the hope Tee has a monster 2024 season
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) February 24, 2024
Trading Tee Higgins for picks is fine on paper I just have concerns about them hitting those picks.
The 2021 Draft was the most worrying one by far. 5 picks in rounds 2-4 and got 0 starters out of it. Have to start finding real talent on day 2/early day 3.
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) February 24, 2024
I’m comfortable with whatever direction the Bengals need to go with Tee Higgins because I’m incredibly comfortable with what Ja’Marr Chase brings to the table for this team.
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) February 24, 2024
I now have thoughts on the Tee Higgins franchise tag:
I don’t believe the Bengals org leaked this in hopes of getting trade offers sent.
I believe Tee’s agent leaked it to apply pressure to get a long term deal done “either in Cincinnati or somewhere else.” https://t.co/efgZWuFtGc
— Taylor (@_TaylorCornell) February 24, 2024
BengalsNation right now on the Tee Higgins franchise tag issue. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/1W8PPmQHwI
— TB (@SenrabG) February 24, 2024
Someone do Tee Higgins in a Bengals uniform photoshop.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) February 24, 2024
First time logging into the app today and I see Bengals fans slandering Tee Higgins??? Nasty work 😂😂
— Bengal Hulk (@Bengal_Hulk) February 25, 2024
Tee Higgins discourse is ripping apart Bengals twitter 😭😭😭
— Derf (@derftron) February 25, 2024
Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr are not about to make the same money. Tees gonna probably get $21M avg salary Chase is probably getting $30M. They wouldn’t be getting the same. https://t.co/JCBJvxrEUj
— Ace Boogie (@NewStripeCity) February 24, 2024
TEE HIGGINS RUN IT BACK !!! pic.twitter.com/IfweSm82e1
— Charles Davis (@dav25146) February 24, 2024
I love Tee Higgins as a player but I love the bengals more…so if we gotta trade then make it happen
— B-Rob 2️⃣ (@Last2Lose) February 24, 2024
I’m not really all that concerned about Tee Higgins. I’d love for Tee to stay and finish his career in stripes but the Bengals might be the best team in the NFL at drafting and developing WRs. I’m not sure there’s a team who has a better history of WRs.
— WHODEYzach (@WHODEYzach) February 24, 2024
