Higgins signed his franchise tag with the Bengals on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

As a result, the star wideout will report for Cincinnati's training camp poised to make $21.8 million on the one-year tag. Schefter's report also indicates it's unlikely Higgins and the team will come to terms on a long-term deal, making this possibly the 25-year-old's last campaign with the team as the Bengals push for another Super Bowl appearance. The fourth-year wideout struggled with injuries throughout last season and never really got into a rhythm within the offense, especially after quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending wrist injury in Week 12. With everyone expected to be fully healthy entering the 2024 season, Higgins and the passing unit should be in a position to be electric once again.

Higgins hasn't signed his franchise tag and isn't attending June minicamp, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Higgins would need to sign the tag before practicing and can't be fined while he's technically not under contract. He reportedly asked for a trade in March, but in April he told reporters that he expected to play for the Bengals this season. There's a July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term contracts.

Higgins and teammate Ja'Marr Chase are not present at voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, Ben Baby of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Higgins still hasn't signed the franchise tag Cincinnati placed on him back in February, and with Chase also eligible for an extension, both of the Bengals' top wideouts appear to be vying for new deals. Until Higgins signs the franchise tag, he won't be eligible to report for organized team activities. He formally requested a trade after having the franchise tag placed on him but has since indicated he anticipates suiting up for the Bengals for the 2024 season, and coach Zac Taylor plainly stated that he's not worried about the absence of either Higgins or Chase at this time.

Higgins is not expected to sign his franchise tender by the end of the week, which will make him ineligible to report in time for the start of OTAs next week, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Higgins formally requested a trade from Cincinnati after the team placed the franchise tag on him prior to free agency. He appeared to have a change of heart in April, as the wideout hinted that he anticipated playing for the Bengals in 2024 at his youth camp, per Ben Baby of ESPN.com. It remains to be seen if that will occur via the franchise tag or the long-term extension the pass catcher has been seeking. As of now, it looks like this conflict will linger into OTAs.

Higgins stated at his youth camp Sunday that he anticipates playing for Cincinnati in 2024, Ben Baby of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Higgins received the Bengals' franchise tag in late February, and a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN in early March indicated that the wideout had requested a trade. However, Higgins now appears to have had a change of heart, as his comments Sunday suggest that he's planning to suit up for Cincinnati during the 2024 campaign. It's not clear if that means progress has been made between the player and organization in reaching the long-term extension that Higgins has reportedly been seeking.

Higgins has reportedly requested a trade, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

EDGE Analysis

The Bengals previously placed their franchise tag on Higgins, but Schefter indicates that the wideout is disappointed in the lack of progress toward a long-term contract extension and thus is seeking a new situation. It remains to be seen how amenable Cincinnati will be to his request, and it's still possible that the two sides move toward a resolution that would keep Higgins in the fold in 2024. However, the 2020 second-rounder's future with the franchise is up in the air as NFL free agency approaches.

The Bengals applied their franchise tag to Higgins (hamstring) on Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to Rapoport, Higgins' franchise tag number is expected to fall around $21.8 million for the 2024 season, but the tag may merely serve as a placeholder as the Bengals work toward a long-term extension with the receiver prior to the July 15 deadline. If the two sides are far apart on an extension, the Bengals also could look to trade Higgins, who would be a highly-sought after receiver given the weak crop of free agents at the position. Higgins was limited to just 11 games in 2023 due to rib and hamstring injuries, but he once again was productive in his fourth NFL season with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. He should be back to full health before OTAs get underway in the spring, if he isn't already.

The Bengals informed Higgins (hamstring) on Friday that he will receive the franchise tag, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the tag deadline still a week away, the Bengals have skipped negotiations for a long-term deal by letting Higgins know he will be franchised. A new contract still is a possibility, but this is apparently the most likely route as of now. The 25-year-old battled injuries during his fourth season in Cincinnati en route to career lows in yards (656) and touchdowns (five) in 12 games.

Higgins (hamstring) is inactive for Sunday's season finale against the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

With the Bengals eliminated from playoff contention, Higgins will sit this one out, thus finishing his 2023 campaign with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns on 76 targets in 12 games. The 2020 second-rounder is eligible for free agency this offseason and his contract situation with the franchise will be something to monitor in the coming months. In his absence Sunday, added Week 18 snaps alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd will be available for Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones and Stanley Morgan.

The Bengals list Higgins (hamstring) as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Browns.

EDGE Analysis

The door isn't completely closed on Higgins suiting up for the season finale, but after the receiver failed to practice in any fashion this week, he'll most likely sit out for the 8-8 Bengals, who have been eliminated from playoff contention. Assuming he's inactive this weekend, Higgins will finish his fourth NFL season with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns on 76 targets. The 24-year-old is scheduled for free agency this season and would be one of the most sought-after receivers if he reaches the open market, but Cincinnati could look to retain him with its franchise tag while working toward a long-term extension with him.