Tee Higgins Is Open to Reuniting With Brian Callahan and Playing With the Titans
NASHVILLE — Some things don't stay in Las Vegas, including Cincinnati Bengals free agent wide receiver Tee Higgins' desire to reunite with his former offensive coordinator Brian Callahan with the Tennessee Titans.
"It would be good," Higgins said on Thursday to the The Sick Podcast on radio row at the Super Bowl "Going back home to family and then being able to play for a coach that I’ve already been under. It would be ideal."
Higgins had 42 receptions, 656 yards, and five touchdowns in 12 games this season as he struggled with injuries. He had had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons the previous two seasons. ESPN lists Higgins as the No.7 free agent and top available wide receiver on their top-50 list.
Higgins expressed his affection for Callahan in another radio row interview with tennesseetitans.com.
"He helped me a lot," Higgins said of Callahan. "He helped me grow as a player since my rookie year. He's a great coach, man, probably one of the best in the league. (He has) a great offensive mind. I was able to pick his brain a little bit, and learn new things about the game that I didn't know. He's just a great offensive mind."
It's crucial to remember that the Bengals still have the option to use the franchise tag on Higgins, which could dampen Titans fans' excitement. If the Bengals go for the exclusive tag, no other team can negotiate with Higgins. In such a case, the only way to acquire Higgins would be through a trade deal.
If the Bengals decide to use the non-exclusive tag on Tee Higgins, he can negotiate with other teams, such as the Titans. However, the Bengals have the right to match any offer made by another team. If they choose not to match the offer, the team that signs Higgins must give up two first-round draft picks to compensate the Bengals.
Teams have from Feb. 20 to March 5 to decide on franchise tagging players. If Higgins and the Bengals can't agree on a deal by March 11 and he's not tagged, then Higgins becomes an unrestricted free agent.
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