CINCINNATI — With the end result feeling inevitable, Cincinnati Bengals broad receiver Tee Higgins stated there wasn’t a necessity for him to attend to signal his franchise tag.
Talking for the primary time since he accepted a one-year deal in June, Higgins stated he knocked it out properly earlier than the primary coaching camp apply Wednesday as a result of he did not need hypothesis in regards to the upcoming season to linger.
“Clearly there wasn’t no strikes being made upstairs,” stated Higgins, who participated in his first group apply since final season. “So I just about knew this [is] what it was and I used to be similar to, ‘I’ll go forward and simply signal it and simply kill all of the noise and simply get all people off my again.'”
Earlier than the beginning of free company in March, Higgins requested a commerce after a long-term deal in Cincinnati continued to look unlikely. He stated he was severe about that request when it was made after he ended final season with hopes of being within the Bengals’ long-term plans.
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
Cincinnati gave him the franchise tag, which is absolutely assured for $21.8 million. The 2 sides didn’t come to phrases on an extension earlier than the July 15 deadline, which suggests they can not negotiate a multiyear deal till after the common season.
On the group’s media luncheon, group president Mike Brown stated a deal could not be made due to constraints underneath the wage cap.
“We actually like Tee Higgins,” Brown stated in his lone scheduled media look of the 12 months. “We might want to signal him, however it must be at a sure degree to suit throughout the cap or it might probably’t be executed.”
Higgins stated he was content material with how issues performed out.
“It is simply good to not see my identify on the headlines, you realize what I am saying?” Higgins stated. “It is simply good to get it executed simply so I may concentrate on myself.”
A fifth-year participant out of Clemson, Higgins battled accidents final season and appeared in simply 12 video games, ending with profession lows in receiving yards (656) and catches (42).
Requested if he thought of prioritizing his well being over the danger of enjoying, Higgins stated it was “clearly” going to be a thought, given his scenario.
“However I am a man that likes to work on the finish of the day,” Higgins stated. “I’ve simply acquired to remain wholesome this 12 months. So long as I am wholesome, I am good.”
Regardless of Higgins’ presence Wednesday, the Bengals have been nonetheless with out one among their main playmakers.
Large receiver Ja’Marr Chase didn’t take part in any portion of Wednesday’s apply. He missed the entire group’s voluntary exercises and did not take part in something other than the walkthrough durations of the group’s obligatory minicamp in June.
Chase, who has made the Professional Bowl the previous three years, is in search of a contract extension as he enters the fourth 12 months of his rookie deal. His former school teammate, Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson, acquired the richest deal for a non-quarterback in league historical past in June, signing a deal value $140 million, together with $110 million in assured cash.
Throughout his information convention Monday, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who additionally performed with Jefferson and Chase at LSU, stated he has had personal discussions with Chase. Whereas the timeline for Chase to return is unclear, he is aware of what to anticipate when Chase is able to apply.
“I am not completely certain what his plan is at this level, however I do know he is with us 100%,” Burrow stated. “When he is prepared to come back again on the market and apply, we’ll be able to have him. And I do know that he will be bodily and mentally prepared.”
