Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will play 2024 on the franchise tag after the team and player did not agree to a long-term deal by Monday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline.

It was long expected that Higgins would not receive a new contract extension by the deadline. Of eight franchise or transition tag players in the NFL, Higgins is the only one who did not get a deal in time. That includes edge rusher Brian Burns and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who were traded to the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, respectively, before reaching new deals.

Higgins reportedly requested a trade after being tagged in February, but he disputed that notion when speaking to reporters at his youth football camp this spring, saying he only wanted to play for the Bengals. Higgins did not sign the franchise tag until June 17 — after missing offseason workouts with the team.

Higgins will earn $21.8 million on his franchise tender in 2024.

“I’m excited to move forward with Tee,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said in a statement. “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.”

Higgins, 25, had 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts) in 2023, missing five games due to rib and hamstring injuries. The former second-round draft pick has hauled in 257 catches for 3,684 yards and 24 TDs in 58 games (53 starts) since 2020.

Cincinnati is not out of the woods regarding the receiver position, as star wideout Ja’Marr Chase is seeking an extension and has been rumored as a training camp holdout candidate.

–Field Level Media