In this particular case, it seems like the deadline isn’t what seals the deal.
NFL teams have until 4 p.m. ET on July 15 to reach a long-term contract with a franchise-tagged player. If no deal is reached by that deadline, the player will play out the next season with the franchise tag on and become a free agent next offseason.
it is, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins;
According to new reports NFL Network According to insider Ian Rapoport, Monday’s deadline will last until the team and receiver can come to terms on a new contract.
It’s been obvious for a while now, but just to be clear:
of #Bengals Star wide receiver Tee Higgins won’t sign a contract extension at Monday’s deadline. He signed the franchise tag and will play under it, making him one of the top free agents in the 2025 offseason. pic.twitter.com/kO8omw8Gol
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 14, 2024
As Rapoport noted, Higgins has already signed the franchise tag, meaning he will play one season under the tag before becoming a free agent in 2025. Under the current franchise tag terms, Higgins’ one-year contract with the team is worth $21.8 million.
It remains to be seen whether this news will lead to a long-term deal between Higgins and the Bengals next spring, or if the receiver will find a new team in the 2025 free agency cycle. Free agents at the WR spots In next season’s free agent cycle, many players are in the running to be acquired, including Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, Robert Woods and Chris Goodwin.
The projected rookie draft class also has some intriguing names, including Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan, Missouri’s Luther Burden and Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter.
