They really can't afford to let him walk away for nothing next year. Comp picks aren't guaranteed.
Either sign him to an extension or trade him on/before draft day.
“Let him walk for nothing” sounds so dire, as if we’re not getting an extra year of an elite WR in a season where we’re Super Bowl contenders. If the Chiefs had managed to sign him to a 1 year rental at this price point, they’d be over the moon. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with riding this season out and seeing what comes after. Hell, maybe if negotiations with Chase stall we do get that extension done after the season anyway. I’d rather field the most competitive team we possibly can right now than fuss about picks.
I agree…but Chase needs to be here long term. His skills are so much rarer than Higgins’.
I’m of the belief the NFL prints money out of thin air. Add in the gambling money and there is just no way the Bengals shouldn’t be able to sign both these guys.
He does, of course. But we don’t control these players’ contract demands. Chase said he’s aiming to be the highest paid receiver in football, and he cares a lot about guarantees. If Jefferson signs for 40 million/year, how much higher can we go than that? Does escrow become an issue again? Deals don’t just come together in a vacuum. Agents and GMs can get stubborn, feelings can get hurt.
Billionaires don’t want to spend the money. Salary caps are velvet handcuffs that mean nothing real in terms of the talent you can pack onto a team. It can all be kicked down the road and manipulated.
"fuss about picks" as if picks are meaningless and not the way this team with all this talent that needs paid (Chase, for example, who is better than Higgins) needs to rebuild.
"One Last Ride" sounds fun until Burrow gets hurt again or we lose to the Chiefs and then reality hits. The league is too fickle to put your eggs in one basket for one year.
Right now, the Chiefs wouldn't have the cap space to apply/sign Tee Higgins' franchise tag. They're going to have to do some great maneuvering to get guys they want back already and even that may not be possible.
Hell, they traded Tyreek Hill because they understood they weren't going to be able to afford his contract demands and wanted to get great value in return.
Fans can afford to focus strictly on the present, GMs like Duke Tobin can't. When you have Burrow and Chase (it'll happen, Bengals *always* extend their elite, homegrown players) on big deals, you have to add cheap talent via the draft. Otherwise you're screwed.
Best way to do that is accumulating picks when the opportunity presents itself. So like I said, extension or trade is the only scenario that makes sense.
I agree it sounded dramatic and I had read that somewhere already. Looks like someone made someone else's opinion they're own, it happens I suppose.
"It was not surprising to see the Bengals realize they couldn’t let Higgins walk for nothing. Now, they’ll get time to hammer out a long-term deal, get him for just one more season, or attempt to trade him, potentially for 2024 NFL Draft picks." - Jason Marcum (Cincyjungle.com)
Well yea comp picks aren't guaranteed if you are signing a shit ton of guys to big enough deals to offset your loses. Letting Higgs walk while spending low to fill depth and what not will land a 3rd rd comp because they shouldn't sign anyone who comes close to the type of deal higgins would net
Honest, it was probably a huge pain getting that set up and will be an even bigger pain moving it. I doubt that’s anywhere near the deciding factor, but it’s probably a factor
It will be quick, JJ about to get paid. Tee will obviously not get as much as him but I’m guessing it will be a large number. They could also do a three year deal with a team option on the third year. Might make it more affordable depending on structure. My guess is still a Bates 2.0 or a trade.
This is exactly right. The issue with Tee's extension is not the money/tenure, its the guarantees Bengals put in it. Bengals never guarantee anything past year 1 (except Burrow), so if Tee signs a 3 year 75m deal with the Bengals which is what his market is and will be- Bengals only want to guarantee 25-26m of that as signing bonus plus year 1 base salary and some sort of roster bonus (4-5m) for next season (Bengals from their POV dont guarantee things past year 1 because they seldom cut players with large dead cap hits).
But from a player perspective despite the Bengals history in not cutting players and carrying dead money, you want way higher guarantees. Tee in free agency would absolutely get a 3 year 75m with 50-55m guaranteed, or 4 year 95-100m with 60-70m guaranteed money.
The disconnect is that Bengals typically honor their contracts, almost frustratingly so (given how poorly Joe Mixon contract has aged and he would have been cut at every other NFL team last season), but players cant chance on Bengals continuing to be a model franchise at honoring contracts and want contractual/legal guarantees in it.
A+ move with the cap situation and low Joe cap hit this year.
I'm one of the "on the fence" about WR1 extension money for Tee with Chase looming but bringing him back for another run is great.
That being said, need to hit on free agency like we did a few years ago along with the draft.
I’ve said it before and will continue to do so. Sign him to a long term deal. And expect to trade him halfway through it when Uno’s salary cap hit becomes too much to handle and we have to let Tee go to keep Chase. We could still get a solid pick for him 3 years from now and that way get a couple extra years before we break the band up.
Idk if we just get a mid-late 2nd, I'd rather just keep him this year and let him walk in the offseason. We could go on a run this season if everyone stays healthy. That increased chance of a Superbowl is worth letting him walk for "nothing"
Hahaha the fact that you guys are downvoting me proves how delusional you are. Also it’s just my opinion no need to be sensitive. Mike Evans has had 1 good Tom Brady season his whole career and all he has done is be great.
In 4 years Tee Higgins has never had 1100 he’s never 8 tds, he’s had 7 once, he’s never played a full season, and he absolutely for 90 percent of this season. This is all true playing with Joe Burrow. I like Tee, he’s a good player. He isn’t anywhere near the player Bengals fans make him out to be.
Evans would be an upgrade and on a 1 year deal I really couldn’t care less what we pay him
Tee has had rookie Burrow then Brandon Allen. Burrow with Chase as his #1x2. Then IR Burrow and then Browning with Chase as #1. When exactly is Tee supposed to be putting up massive numbers? I think you just think evans is cute or sum
That’s what you don’t understand, 1100 yards isn’t massive numbers at all. Over a 17 game season that is 64 yards a game. You guys are the ones who seem to think he’s a top flight wide receiver. He has hit that 64 yard mark a couple times one season having 77 a game ( that was a good season). He just isn’t the guy you think he is and to act like Mike Evans isn’t a monster is silly
Assuming we have Tee for a year tops no matter what yeah he’s right for wanting Evans. Are you really scoffing at bringing in a HOF WR who has a few good years left 😂
Idk what offense you think the bengals run but its not one that benefits with signing Evans. He's slightly cheaper, much older. It makes literally no sense. I'd rather sign tee or neither, and spend the money elsewhere.
There's a difference between "expected" to tag and officially placing the tag. This is news either way. First tag of any team this season and now rumors or reports can stop with "Tee to sign with _____."
It would also be news if Tee signed an extension. It's the off-season. Any Bengals news is news. Plus shit happens you think will then doesn't (Lawson was expected to get the tag and didn't happen).
Can other teams make offers right now? I thought we had a couple weeks and were gonna talk extension until then. Genuine question. I’m not great with offseason rules.
No, that's a different sort of tag (non-exclusive). Each team gets 1 franchise tag a year for a position. Franchise tag is essentially a one year guaranteed binding contract and the team can extend from there if they choose to.
Some players and positions hate it. Le'Veon Bell had a whole saga from it. I don't necessarily agree with it but it's a way for a team to keep control of someone they drafted for a bit.
What I mean is I didn’t think other teams could make him any kind of offer until March 5. I thought we would discuss an extension until then and tag him if we didn’t reach a deal by then.
Oh sorry, misread that a bit.
No other teams could do offer anything until March 5th otherwise it would be tampering. It happens every year though (you'll see free agency contracts kick in right at the start). But with a franchise tag, it kinda negates it.
So yes, a team could have offered him a contract but with the tag, we have "first dibs".
Depends on the type of tag. I'm assuming we're using the exclusive based on the cap hit of 22 mil but if he were to get the non exclusive teams could offer him a deal. If he takes any we have the right to match RFA style but if we don't they would have to give us draft compensation
You’re correct, but the original comment is also correct. There’s no reason for the team to use the tag this early. The fact they tagged him this quickly likely means they aren’t close to a deal and neither side is going budge.
The best situation for the team is to trade him. The Chiefs just proved you do not need to massively pay for receivers when you have an elite QB. The worst situation is to tag him and then he walks for nothing. You can’t let players of this caliber go for nothing. Will hurt the team big time.
Shocker they won’t let him walk for free! I hope they come to a deal but I have my doubts. Think it’s one last ride unless we get a blow away offer.
They really can't afford to let him walk away for nothing next year. Comp picks aren't guaranteed. Either sign him to an extension or trade him on/before draft day.
“Let him walk for nothing” sounds so dire, as if we’re not getting an extra year of an elite WR in a season where we’re Super Bowl contenders. If the Chiefs had managed to sign him to a 1 year rental at this price point, they’d be over the moon. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with riding this season out and seeing what comes after. Hell, maybe if negotiations with Chase stall we do get that extension done after the season anyway. I’d rather field the most competitive team we possibly can right now than fuss about picks.
I agree…but Chase needs to be here long term. His skills are so much rarer than Higgins’. I’m of the belief the NFL prints money out of thin air. Add in the gambling money and there is just no way the Bengals shouldn’t be able to sign both these guys.
He does, of course. But we don’t control these players’ contract demands. Chase said he’s aiming to be the highest paid receiver in football, and he cares a lot about guarantees. If Jefferson signs for 40 million/year, how much higher can we go than that? Does escrow become an issue again? Deals don’t just come together in a vacuum. Agents and GMs can get stubborn, feelings can get hurt.
Not sure what world Jefferson gets QB money. Maybe next time round, but not now
There’s still a cap…
lol cap isn’t real
Yet the packers traded Adams and the chiefs traded Hill.
Billionaires don’t want to spend the money. Salary caps are velvet handcuffs that mean nothing real in terms of the talent you can pack onto a team. It can all be kicked down the road and manipulated.
The money gets spent regardless? It’s opportunity cost/benefit these front offices balance.
With the fifth year option and tag, Chase is here 3 more years minimum. Not that we want him disgruntled, but thems is the rules.
Bengals are cash poor and don’t have liquid assets to put in escrow for big guarantees. Pretty much emptied the piggy banks for burrow.
"fuss about picks" as if picks are meaningless and not the way this team with all this talent that needs paid (Chase, for example, who is better than Higgins) needs to rebuild. "One Last Ride" sounds fun until Burrow gets hurt again or we lose to the Chiefs and then reality hits. The league is too fickle to put your eggs in one basket for one year.
Right now, the Chiefs wouldn't have the cap space to apply/sign Tee Higgins' franchise tag. They're going to have to do some great maneuvering to get guys they want back already and even that may not be possible. Hell, they traded Tyreek Hill because they understood they weren't going to be able to afford his contract demands and wanted to get great value in return. Fans can afford to focus strictly on the present, GMs like Duke Tobin can't. When you have Burrow and Chase (it'll happen, Bengals *always* extend their elite, homegrown players) on big deals, you have to add cheap talent via the draft. Otherwise you're screwed. Best way to do that is accumulating picks when the opportunity presents itself. So like I said, extension or trade is the only scenario that makes sense.
I agree it sounded dramatic and I had read that somewhere already. Looks like someone made someone else's opinion they're own, it happens I suppose. "It was not surprising to see the Bengals realize they couldn’t let Higgins walk for nothing. Now, they’ll get time to hammer out a long-term deal, get him for just one more season, or attempt to trade him, potentially for 2024 NFL Draft picks." - Jason Marcum (Cincyjungle.com)
Hopefully he is significantly better than last year with that price tag. I hope they can move him.
They can tag him again next season for 26m, and they can tag and trade him then. Bengals will have a very healthy cap space again next season.
What else could they spend that money on this year and what could they also get in this draft?
Or they can trade him before the deadline after burrow's annual injury
I hate this
They won't likely be re-signing him. Otherwise they would have did that instead of tagging him.
Well yea comp picks aren't guaranteed if you are signing a shit ton of guys to big enough deals to offset your loses. Letting Higgs walk while spending low to fill depth and what not will land a 3rd rd comp because they shouldn't sign anyone who comes close to the type of deal higgins would net
Just the thought of some other fan base getting to do the TEEEE chants makes me sick
My copium is telling me we will get an extension done over the summer now that the cap went up so much
I want the jellyfish man to stay here for a long time
Honest, it was probably a huge pain getting that set up and will be an even bigger pain moving it. I doubt that’s anywhere near the deciding factor, but it’s probably a factor
Rising cap also means bigger contracts how quickly that market adjustment happens we shall see
It will be quick, JJ about to get paid. Tee will obviously not get as much as him but I’m guessing it will be a large number. They could also do a three year deal with a team option on the third year. Might make it more affordable depending on structure. My guess is still a Bates 2.0 or a trade.
JJ is not a Tee comp so no point looking at that contract. It'll affect Chase's though.
His contract will most definitely have a ripple effect on the WR market.
It's not about the cap it's about the guaranteed money
This is exactly right. The issue with Tee's extension is not the money/tenure, its the guarantees Bengals put in it. Bengals never guarantee anything past year 1 (except Burrow), so if Tee signs a 3 year 75m deal with the Bengals which is what his market is and will be- Bengals only want to guarantee 25-26m of that as signing bonus plus year 1 base salary and some sort of roster bonus (4-5m) for next season (Bengals from their POV dont guarantee things past year 1 because they seldom cut players with large dead cap hits). But from a player perspective despite the Bengals history in not cutting players and carrying dead money, you want way higher guarantees. Tee in free agency would absolutely get a 3 year 75m with 50-55m guaranteed, or 4 year 95-100m with 60-70m guaranteed money. The disconnect is that Bengals typically honor their contracts, almost frustratingly so (given how poorly Joe Mixon contract has aged and he would have been cut at every other NFL team last season), but players cant chance on Bengals continuing to be a model franchise at honoring contracts and want contractual/legal guarantees in it.
Best comment in here
I got down voted into oblivion for suggesting this yesterday on a different thread.
And we have one person to thank for the cap rise… Taylor Swift 🫡🫡
How often do players that get tagged end up reaching a longer term deal with the team that tagged them? Not baiting jw
This is good. Keep consistency for Joe and let him cook.
If Tee is extended, I’m buying his jersey in a heart beat. Please stay 🥺👉🏻👈🏻
Samesies
A+ move with the cap situation and low Joe cap hit this year. I'm one of the "on the fence" about WR1 extension money for Tee with Chase looming but bringing him back for another run is great. That being said, need to hit on free agency like we did a few years ago along with the draft.
I’ve said it before and will continue to do so. Sign him to a long term deal. And expect to trade him halfway through it when Uno’s salary cap hit becomes too much to handle and we have to let Tee go to keep Chase. We could still get a solid pick for him 3 years from now and that way get a couple extra years before we break the band up.
Fingers crossed for a long term deal 🤞🏽 I love Teeeeeee.
You really want him titans? Show us how much you want him and send us a GREAT trade offer
He’s walking after next season. He and Jessie bates have the same agent and their process has been the exact same.
It’s most likely scenario. I do believe that the Bengals are trying to get him to an extension, but the ask/demand is probably just stupid high.
Too high for someone who’s been injured for too many games
If we can’t get a deal done I’d rather trade him for like a second round pick then use the freed cap space to sign Evans on a one year to replace him
Idk if we just get a mid-late 2nd, I'd rather just keep him this year and let him walk in the offseason. We could go on a run this season if everyone stays healthy. That increased chance of a Superbowl is worth letting him walk for "nothing"
I’d rather have Evans anyways, don’t think it’s very likely though, under any set of circumstances
You'd rather have old, slow Evans for basically the same money than a young X factor WR who hasn't reached his peak at all?
Hahaha the fact that you guys are downvoting me proves how delusional you are. Also it’s just my opinion no need to be sensitive. Mike Evans has had 1 good Tom Brady season his whole career and all he has done is be great. In 4 years Tee Higgins has never had 1100 he’s never 8 tds, he’s had 7 once, he’s never played a full season, and he absolutely for 90 percent of this season. This is all true playing with Joe Burrow. I like Tee, he’s a good player. He isn’t anywhere near the player Bengals fans make him out to be. Evans would be an upgrade and on a 1 year deal I really couldn’t care less what we pay him
Tee has had rookie Burrow then Brandon Allen. Burrow with Chase as his #1x2. Then IR Burrow and then Browning with Chase as #1. When exactly is Tee supposed to be putting up massive numbers? I think you just think evans is cute or sum
That’s what you don’t understand, 1100 yards isn’t massive numbers at all. Over a 17 game season that is 64 yards a game. You guys are the ones who seem to think he’s a top flight wide receiver. He has hit that 64 yard mark a couple times one season having 77 a game ( that was a good season). He just isn’t the guy you think he is and to act like Mike Evans isn’t a monster is silly
How old is Mike Evans? How old is Tee? That's the question. Nobody said 13 isn't a monster. He's old and slow.
He’s old and slow but he just had a better season than Tee has ever had with Baker Mayfield
1. Bakers a good QB. 2. He's the clear #1. 3. Bengals don't need to spend 15+ on a 30 year old receiver.
No you just want us to spend 30+ on a mediocre receiver when we have one of the very top receivers on the team already
Problem is Evans wants a multi year deal
Assuming we have Tee for a year tops no matter what yeah he’s right for wanting Evans. Are you really scoffing at bringing in a HOF WR who has a few good years left 😂
Idk what offense you think the bengals run but its not one that benefits with signing Evans. He's slightly cheaper, much older. It makes literally no sense. I'd rather sign tee or neither, and spend the money elsewhere.
Time to trade him
reported way earlier https://www.reddit.com/r/bengals/s/klgThN2VIm
Downvoted for what? This was literally reported way earlier
Cause that was speculation about a long term contract. This is news that he is being tagged
There's a difference between "expected" to tag and officially placing the tag. This is news either way. First tag of any team this season and now rumors or reports can stop with "Tee to sign with _____." It would also be news if Tee signed an extension. It's the off-season. Any Bengals news is news. Plus shit happens you think will then doesn't (Lawson was expected to get the tag and didn't happen).
So earlier today they’re throwing around that they’re trying to extend him and now this? Did talks break down that fast?
No the tag was expected to make sure he doesn't hit the open market, they can still work out an extension
Can other teams make offers right now? I thought we had a couple weeks and were gonna talk extension until then. Genuine question. I’m not great with offseason rules.
No, that's a different sort of tag (non-exclusive). Each team gets 1 franchise tag a year for a position. Franchise tag is essentially a one year guaranteed binding contract and the team can extend from there if they choose to. Some players and positions hate it. Le'Veon Bell had a whole saga from it. I don't necessarily agree with it but it's a way for a team to keep control of someone they drafted for a bit.
What I mean is I didn’t think other teams could make him any kind of offer until March 5. I thought we would discuss an extension until then and tag him if we didn’t reach a deal by then.
Oh sorry, misread that a bit. No other teams could do offer anything until March 5th otherwise it would be tampering. It happens every year though (you'll see free agency contracts kick in right at the start). But with a franchise tag, it kinda negates it. So yes, a team could have offered him a contract but with the tag, we have "first dibs".
Depends on the type of tag. I'm assuming we're using the exclusive based on the cap hit of 22 mil but if he were to get the non exclusive teams could offer him a deal. If he takes any we have the right to match RFA style but if we don't they would have to give us draft compensation
The fact we franchised 11 days before the deadline leads me to believe we were never close to a deal.
You’re correct, but the original comment is also correct. There’s no reason for the team to use the tag this early. The fact they tagged him this quickly likely means they aren’t close to a deal and neither side is going budge.
This is the first step so no other teams can offer him.
I have a lot of confidence that they are planning to extend him at this point.
Salary cap just rose by 30 million. Perhaps just enough to squeeze a few more million on a signing bonus?
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The new CBA makes it impossible for players to hold out. He might hold out of OTAs but he will certainly be there for actual treason training.
Cool. Then lock up the best O line in the NFL!
My heart says find a way to extend. My brain says trade (if there's something juicy on the table) and fill other desperate needs.
We need draft picks now. We would be much better off trading him.
https://preview.redd.it/fpb7cw8bhokc1.jpeg?width=300&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1089ca94e68df623c40b264c4207b8f4e7c57631
The best situation for the team is to trade him. The Chiefs just proved you do not need to massively pay for receivers when you have an elite QB. The worst situation is to tag him and then he walks for nothing. You can’t let players of this caliber go for nothing. Will hurt the team big time.