Tee Higgins Now Says He's Committed To Cincinnati Bengals

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The Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins earlier this off-season. Higgins, who wants a long-term contract, responded by asking the team to trade him. 

Cincinnati wants to keep Higgins, but probably cannot afford to have both him and Chase on the roster. Chase is going to get a MASSIVE contract extension in the near future and franchise quarterback Joe Burrow already did. 

In March, Bengals GM Duke Tobin shut down the trade talks by saying that Higgins was "untouchable." So, despite Higgins' request, the team did not trade him and does not appear willing to do so. 

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who previously requested a trade, now seems ready to play for Cincinnati this season.

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who previously requested a trade, now seems ready to play for Cincinnati this season.

(Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer/USA Today Network)

Why would they? They have him under a one-year contract and want to take another shot at a Super Bowl with Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Higgins. They aren't really in a position to give Higgins a long-term deal because of how much money they're going to have to pay the other two. 

For his credit, Higgins seems to have come to terms with playing on the franchise tag, which pays him nearly $22 million guaranteed this season.

Speaking at his annual youth camp in Loveland, Ohio, Higgins was asked if he anticipated playing for the Bengals this season. 

"I do anticipate it," Higgins responded. "I've grown a love for [Cincinnati] that I didn't think I would." 

I get that. Cincinnati isn't the most exciting city in the country and the weather isn't great. But it's not a bad city, either. There are plenty worse, I can assure you. 

It's a great sports town, too. The fans are die-hard for their two professional teams, the Bengals and the Reds. It's easy to see how Higgins can grow a love for the town. 

All that said, Higgins is also just saying the right things. He's not going to be traded and he knows it. The Bengals are a good team, and he has an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl. All good things.

Eventually, though, he's going to want to get paid. And no matter how much he says he has grown a love for Cincinnati, he's going to love the city that pays him even more.  

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Dan began his sports media career at ESPN, where he survived for nearly a decade. Once the Stockholm Syndrome cleared, he made his way to Outkick. He is secure enough in his masculinity to admit he is a cat-enthusiast with three cats, one of which is named “Brady” because his wife wishes she were married to Tom instead of him.