Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins, designated as the Bengals’ franchise player on Feb. 26, has signed a one-year contract, the team announced Monday.
Higgins, 25, hasn’t taken part in any offseason activities, including the recently concluded three-day mandatory minicamp, as the fifth-year receiver sought a long-term extension and reportedly requested a trade.
Instead, he can be expected to report to training camp after signing the $21.8 million franchise tag. Now, the Bengals will have some time to try to work out a long-term extension with Higgins before the July 15 deadline. They also have their other starting receiver, three-time Pro Bowl selection Ja’Marr Chase, due for an extension and huge payday.
“I’m excited to move forward with Tee,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Monday. “He’s done a great job handling his situation, and we are happy to get him back in the fold so we can start working toward a great 2024 season. The locker room will be excited to have him back around.”
Higgins was limited by hamstring and rib injuries in 2023, forcing him to miss five games. Still, he caught 42 passes for 656 yards and scored five touchdowns.
A second-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Clemson, Higgins has appeared in 58 regular-season games (53 starts) and caught 257 passes for 3,684 and 24 touchdowns.
He has added 31 receptions for 457 yards and three scores in seven playoff games.
