After four years of playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, Tee Higgins is about to enter the final year of his contract with the franchise. Fortunately, the wide receiver is projected to make a lot of money when he becomes a free agent next year.
Higgins will reportedly not finalize a contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals before the upcoming deadline, indicating he will play the 2024 season under the franchise tag. This means he will become a free agent in 2025, unless the Bengals decide to tag him again next year, which would result in a significant salary increase.
In 2024, the wide receiver will earn approximately $21.8 million under the franchise tag, a notable jump from his previous rookie contract, which totaled about $25.9 million over four years. This season is crucial for both Higgins and the Bengals as they aim to rebound from a disappointing 2023 campaign that saw them miss the playoffs.
Higgins has been a key player in one of the league’s top receiving duos alongside All-Pro Ja’Marr Chase. However, last season was challenging for him, marked by injuries and a struggling offense, leading to just 656 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 12 games. Despite this setback, expectations are high for a bounce-back year, especially with a healthy Joe Burrow returning.
Cincinnati Bengals’ Tee Higgins Projected To Make $100 Million in Free Agency of 2025
By next year, Higgins’ current contract with Cincinnati is going to end. According to an NFL analysis by Bleacher Report, the wide receiver is projected to land a big contract as a free agent.
“There’s a chance that Higgins could emerge as a viable No. 1 receiver in a different offense. And even if he’s only a high-end No. 2, those players are becoming increasingly valuable in today’s NFL.
The recent extensions of DeVanta Smith ($25 million annually) and Jaylen Waddle ($28.3 million) serve as proof. For Higgins to reach that kind of money, though, he’ll need to play a full season and return to being a 1,000-yard pass-catcher.
The 2020 second-round pick missed time with rib and hamstring injuries in 2023. A strong campaign should put Higgins in the $25 million club, and here’s a scenario in which he goes even higher.
If Chase’s contract hold-in goes deep into the regular season and Higgins puts up legitimate No. 1 receiver numbers, he’s going to get No. 1 receiver money in free agency.
Projected Contract Value: Four Years, $100 Million
As the Bengals star approaches free agency, his performance this season will be critical in determining his market value. The Bengals face the challenge of potentially extending both Higgins and Chase in the near future, with Chase being the priority as his contract is set to expire.
Overall, Higgins remains an essential component for the Bengals as they look to reclaim their status in the AFC, making his upcoming performance pivotal for both his future and the team’s aspirations.
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