Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is signing his franchise tender Saturday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
By signing his franchise tender, Higgins is expected to be at training camp after he missed the Bengals’ OTAs.
Higgins had requested a trade but said in April that he expected to play for the Bengals in 2024.
A long-term deal for Higgins still is considered a long shot. The two sides haven’t discussed an extension in over a year, a source told ESPN. Of the eight players who were given the franchise tag this offseason, Higgins is the only one who has not signed a multiyear contract.
Higgins and the Bengals have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal. Otherwise, Higgins will be set to earn $21.8 million on a one-year deal.
Higgins has been one of the Bengals’ top wide receivers since being drafted in the second round in 2020. The former Clemson standout has 3,684 receiving yards and 24 receiving touchdowns in four seasons.
He has also dealt with injuries. Last year, rib and hamstring issues limited Higgins to just 12 games.