'Ive Grown A Love For Cincinnati!' Bengals WR Tee Higgins Reveals Thoughts On Playing Under Franchise Tag In 2024

The Cincinnati Bengals are busy retooling their roster in order to compete with the AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens safety / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

The Cincinnati Bengals are busy retooling their roster in order to compete with the AFC North Champion Baltimore Ravens.

As part of the process of building a roster for the future, they chose to franchise tag wideout Tee Higgins to keep him in Cincinnati next year and extend the time that they can negotiate a long-term deal with the former Clemson Tiger.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a touchdown as Baltimore Ravens safety / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

After the franchise tag was placed on him in late February, he subsequently requested a trade in mid-March. But what are his thoughts now that the dust has settled on his situation?

During his youth football camp in Cincinnati this weekend, Higgins was asked if he thinks he'll suit up for the Bengals in 2024.

"I do anticipate it. I've grown a love for Cincinnati that I didn't think I would. [I'm] looking forward to it," Higgins said.

While the two sides have reportedly not met about a long-term deal after next season, both the team and player appear hopeful. Higgins will earn a guaranteed $21.816 million while playing under the franchise tag designation next season.

Last year, while appearing in only 12 games due to injury, Higgins caught 42 balls for 656 yards and five touchdowns.