Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is officially in the fold for next season.
Higgins will sign his franchise tag on Saturday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Signing the tag, the fifth-year wide receiver is now expected to be in training camp.
The latest development comes two days after the Bengals concluded their mandatory three-day minicamp. Higgins has missed the entire offseason program while the tag remained unsigned.
Earlier in the week, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said he remained in contact with Higgins since the end of last season and welcomed the idea of throwing with him before training camp begins late of July.
“Tee and I are always talking,” Burrow said. “I've seen Tee a few times this offseason. She looks great. When he's ready to come back, I'll be excited to see him.”
Higgins will earn $21.8 million this season under the tag. He and the Bengals can still negotiate a long-term deal through July 15, although the likelihood of that happening seems unlikely.
Higgins, a 2020 second-round pick out of Clemson, has been a key part of Cincinnati's offense. In his first four seasons, Higgins totaled 3,684 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
Last year, Higgins was hampered by rib and hamstring injuries. He played in 12 games and had 42 receptions, 656 yards and five touchdowns.
Higgins isn't the only Bengals wide receiver seeking a massive extension. Three-time Pro Bowl selection Ja'Marr Chase is also seeking a new deal. Chase also missed almost the entire offseason program. Although he showed up for the mandatory minicamp, he participated on a limited basis in all three days.
The Bengals look to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season. Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11, and back-to-back AFC North champions Cincinnati missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
