Former Clemson Star Reportedly Ending Holdout with NFL Team
By: Staff Report June 16, 2024

A former Clemson star’s holdout with his NFL team is reportedly coming to a close.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins signed his franchise tender on Saturday and is now expected to attend training camp, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

With the franchise tag previously unsigned, Higgins has been away from the Bengals for the duration of their offseason program. Cincinnati just wrapped up its mandatory minicamp and will start training camp in late July.

Higgins, who has been seeking a contract extension, requested a trade after receiving the franchise tag in late February, as he and the Bengals have failed to reach a long-term deal. Although it doesn’t seem likely to happen at this point, the two sides have until July 15 to agree to a long-term deal.

The 25-year-old, who is entering his fifth NFL season, is due to make $21.8 million on the one-year franchise tag.

Higgins dealt with injuries last season, contributing to a dropoff in production, as he played in a career-low 12 games while posting career-lows with 42 receptions, 656 yards and five touchdowns.

However, the 6-foot-4, 219-pounder had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons the previous two years, tallying 13 total touchdowns in that span.

Higgins has been highly productive overall in his NFL career, during which he has hauled in 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns since being drafted by the Bengals in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2020 draft.

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