Tobin – Bengals better with Tee Higgins but won’t predict future

INDIANAPOLIS — Cincinnati Bengals executive Duke Tobin emphasized how much better the roster is when wide receiver Tee Higgins is on it.

But unlike last year's NFL scouting campaign, where Tobin flatly rejected the idea that Higgins might be on the move, Cincinnati's director of player personnel left the door somewhat ajar when he spoke to reporters Tuesday.

“As far as our intentions going forward and answering assumptions about what might and might not happen, I won't go into detail, but we feel like we're a better team with him there,” he said. Tobin said during his session at the Indianapolis Convention Center. “The reason we franchised it is because we would like to have it. It's not under contract and it's hard for me to predict all the different scenarios that could happen.”

The Bengals officially placed the franchise tag on Higgins on Monday. This guarantees Cincinnati the right to sign Higgins to a one-year contract worth $21.8 million for the upcoming season. Higgins, a second-round pick in the 2020 draft, is on the end of an expiring rookie contract.

Tobin said as soon as the NFL announced the salary cap for each team in 2024, the Bengals did not delay the decision to give Higgins the franchise title. In a side session with local reporters, Tobin also said it was unclear how difficult it is to trade a player on a one-year contract and reiterated the team's desire that Higgins is on the list for 2024.

“He’s a great fit for us, so we selected him for that reason,” Tobin said. “The assumptions about what could happen, you know, it's hard for me to comment on.”

That was much different than what Tobin said in 2023 when asked about possible trade speculation involving Higgins as he entered the end of his rookie contract.

“My goal is to improve the Cincinnati Bengals, and so trading Tee Higgins is not on my mind,” Tobin said in February 2023. “That’s their problem. [If] they want a receiver, go find yours.

Bengals coach Zac Taylor said the call informing Higgins he had received the franchise tag was brief, and he let the receiver know how much he values ​​the relationship with the young point guard .

“It’s the business aspect,” Taylor said. “I understand it can be frustrating. Tee hasn't given me any of that. We're just excited to attack this offseason and see where it goes from here.”

In four seasons, Higgins was one of the team's most impactful playmakers. During his time with the Bengals, he had 257 catches for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns. He totaled more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022, the years the Bengals won the AFC North and made deep playoff runs, including an appearance in Super Bowl LVI.

Last season, Higgins was hampered by injuries. In 12 games, he had 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns.