This summer, the Cincinnati Bengals will have to make a number of intriguing decisions, and one of the most important ways to predict their course will be how they employ the franchise tag.
They had a few players that could be candidates to get tagged, like defensive tackle D.J. Reader, wide receiver Tyler Boyd, and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bengals have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins.
This sounds like something that quarterback Joe Burrow wanted, as he has been campaigning for Tee Higgins to return, as he said in January.
“It’s know secret, our relationship. I expect Tee to be back. I think that’s the sentiment in the locker room. We all want Tee back. We know what kind of player he is. We know what kind of person he is. He’s what being a Bengal is all about.”
The franchise tag for the wide receiver position is $21.816 million and could lead to an extension, but for right now, he will be playing on that one-year, fully guaranteed deal if the two sides are unable to agree to an extension. Higgins finished with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games a year ago. He has been a solid second-wide receiver behind Ja’Marr Chase in the Cincinnati Bengals offense.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73160871/usa_today_22119492.0.jpg)
Having Higgins return to the team is a good start but that does not make the Cincinnati Bengals back into a contender. The team still needs to address the defense and some of the offensive line as members of last year’s team previously mentioned are all going to be unrestricted free agents. This team failed to make the postseason last year and the AFC North is not easy to navigate so they need to address some issues.
Getting the defense in order is a must as they allowed the second-most total yards per game (374.6) as well as being 21st with 22.6 points per game. Adding a player or two on the defensive side seems to be the way for Cincy to approach the offseason.
