Tee Higgins Contract

[CrashDavisSports]

As expected, it appears Tee is ready to wait until deadline day to sign his 1 year franchise offer and forgo off season camps until then. Nothing unexpected here, but it would be nice if we had our 3rd best player and 4th best players not upset before start of a pivotal season.

Source: Tee Higgins not expected to sign tender before Bengals OTAs

abcnews.go.com

Just impossible at salaries to afford two top tier WR's when your QB is the best player on the team and has the largest annual salary of anyone in the league. I really want to see Hendrickson signed and happy though. We need him, because I worry about our pass rush without that guy.

 

[DanBengalfan]

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[Cincyfan78]

Paul sums up what I've said since Tee was tagged....

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[Cincyfan78]

And honestly - this kind of works out well...not that Chase/Higgins would have played a lot (or at all) in the pre-season, but that just means more snaps for Yoshi, Jones, and Burton...which is a good thing since those are the primary backups with Burton/Jones likely the slot guys. Lots of early reps to get them going for the season, and then you get to add Chase/Higgins to that mix week 1.

 

[cincygrad]

I'm not worried about it. As @Cincyfan78 posted from Dehner - This is the expected path. It was the path with Bates and it is the path most players take when they are tagged. As much as players hate the tag, this is the one perk they get - They don't have to participate in training camp. As far as we know, Tee takes good care of himself during the offseason. He's definitely had some years where he has rebuilt himself, got bigger, or made some other improvements. And the position he plays is much more simple than Chase - We don't move Tee around as much in the offense. So, assuming he is in shape and ready to run the routes he runs, I'm guessing it won't take much time for him to get ready.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I don't think it will happen - but the more these WR salaries continue to climb...I could see where the Bengals would be at least considering a double tag on Tee Higgins. It would still come at a complete bargain. Higgins, no doubt, would likely sit out at that point...but purely from a financial situation - I could see this...

I also think this brings into question the very real possibility that Chase's contract will follow a very similar path as Higgins...and fans better get ready to realize there is a very real possibility that Chase is going to be on the move after his Franchise Tag year...

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[jbuck]

Expert brings up good point about Tee Higgins and Bengals’ WR spot

Something to keep in mind about the Bengals and Tee Higgins.

www.yahoo.com

 

[cincygrad]

I don't think it will happen - but the more these WR salaries continue to climb...I could see where the Bengals would be at least considering a double tag on Tee Higgins. It would still come at a complete bargain. Higgins, no doubt, would likely sit out at that point...but purely from a financial situation - I could see this...

I also think this brings into question the very real possibility that Chase's contract will follow a very similar path as Higgins...and fans better get ready to realize there is a very real possibility that Chase is going to be on the move after his Franchise Tag year...

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The players won't like it, but the Bengals are making good business decisions. The top of the receiver market won't move until JJ signs, but the rung just below has exploded and now teams are paying more than the franchise value (in yearly average) to keep #2 receivers. I mean, does Jaylen Waddle really keep you up late worrying? As we discussed a few months ago, a second tag for a receiver is not bad value. Tee and his agent will flip out and Tee won't have as much financial pressure to sign it (21 million this year will give him a nice cushion), but it wouldn't be bad business.

I still think we'll sign Ja'Marr long term. I think he is one of the only current guys on the roster that we'll give big guaranteed money to.

 

[Cincyfan78]

The players won't like it, but the Bengals are making good business decisions. The top of the receiver market won't move until JJ signs, but the rung just below has exploded and now teams are paying more than the franchise value (in yearly average) to keep #2 receivers. I mean, does Jaylen Waddle really keep you up late worrying? As we discussed a few months ago, a second tag for a receiver is not bad value. Tee and his agent will flip out and Tee won't have as much financial pressure to sign it (21 million this year will give him a nice cushion), but it wouldn't be bad business.

I still think we'll sign Ja'Marr long term. I think he is one of the only current guys on the roster that we'll give big guaranteed money to.

The concern I see for the Bengals, as an ownership group that does not have additional sources of millions of dollars in terms of income like other owners who own large businesses, etc...is the guaranteed portion of contracts. A certain amount is required to be held in escrow to cover the guaranteed portion. One of the fears some have mentioned with the Bengals is their ability to consistently get to the guaranteed amounts that players are starting to get to as they may have limited ability to do so for multiple high-level contracts.

Maybe it is a fear that isn't founded in great reality - but I see the angle they are talking about. Most owners are worth Millions, if not more - outside of owning a team (or with a group owning the team). The Bengals are not in that realm.

I agree that Chase is still more than likely to get a long-term deal - but it will be really interesting to watch Higgins' play out. At some point you can't talk about being a player driven organization and work on a bunch of 1 and 2 year deals. Players want to feel valued and want some kind of stability - and that means deals that are more in the 3-4 year range. Bengals, at some point, are going to have to pony up...but when and how and for who will be up for great debate as we move along. Higgins. Hendrickson. Cappa. Karras. Lots of guys who play integral roles on this team are going to be due soon and are going to force the Bengals to face their current way of signing guys. Going to be really interesting.

 

[DanBengalfan]

WR pay is highly variable in the NFL, there's some teams getting really nice value for what they pay, and others, well, they're paying a lot.

 

[cincygrad]

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[cincygrad]

With the Jefferson deal done, the Bengals should consider signing Chase to his next deal. The price will only go up if he continues to perform.... Lock him in now and you can spread out the cap hits with the extension adding onto his rookie deal. It would give them some serious flexibility to continue to upgrade the D and the offensive line as players age out over the next couple of seasons.

 

[DanBengalfan]

yep. they will have to make Chase the highest paid receiver. 32 million a year is current, so my guess is he will not accept any less than 35 million a year, this will only go up by 5 million a year each time they wait.

so either they get it done this year, or they are hoping to sign a rookie or bargain free agent.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Nearly 80% of the contract guaranteed...whoo boy!

Again - my concern is less about the Bengals wanting to pay Chase and more about how they are going to work it to be able to put the required amount into escrow as a family run organization that doesn't exactly have millions/billions coming in from outside sources (like many owners do). They've done a good job increasing outside revenue (naming rights, etc...)...but I still get a little nervous with how these contracts are going. I don't worry about the Bengals being able to pay the amount...the NFL makes too much money - but that isn't money that is liquid at the time of the contract.

Either way...I think we see 4 years and probably $150M with somewhere around 75% guaranteed maybe...

 

[DanBengalfan]

Ja'Marr Chase | NFL | Spotrac.com

Ja'Marr Chase contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

chase gets a bunch of money in 2025. during 2025 my guess is we will make him an offer for about what Waddle or AJ Brown is making.

he will either take it or leave it.
my guess is some team out there will offer him way more than what the top WR is making, probably around 40 million a year, and he may hold out for that amount and sign with a team as an UFA in 2026

we may be able to use the franchise tag? I dunno.

 

[DanBengalfan]

justin jefferson's contract ups the ante:

MSN

....

the next big name receiver will have to beat that.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Ja'Marr Chase | NFL | Spotrac.com

Ja'Marr Chase contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

chase gets a bunch of money in 2025. during 2025 my guess is we will make him an offer for about what Waddle or AJ Brown is making.

he will either take it or leave it.
my guess is some team out there will offer him way more than what the top WR is making, probably around 40 million a year, and he may hold out for that amount and sign with a team as an UFA in 2026

we may be able to use the franchise tag? I dunno.

Chase's 5th year option is the '25 season. He'll see the tag in '26, and have very little leverage to sit out as the team can easily afford to tag him again (thanks to skyrocketing WR salaries) in '27. So, he'll be a Bengal, and on the field, at least through the '26 season.

Now, I think something gets done because the process was always going to be sign Burrow and sign Chase. Higgins was a potential 3rd option but the sharp rise in WR salaries pretty much kicked that thought out the window.

Like I said - Chase will likely see a 4 year deal, likely after this season, that gets him into the 150-160M range with something like 100M-105M guaranteed. Less guaranteed, but more money over the years - and with how the Bengals typically operate, you can feel pretty safe in assuming Chase will see all 4 years. Could see them going 5 years if they up the guarantee to get him past Jefferson...but that would be a pretty long contract....

 

[cincygrad]

Chase's 5th year option is the '25 season. He'll see the tag in '26, and have very little leverage to sit out as the team can easily afford to tag him again (thanks to skyrocketing WR salaries) in '27. So, he'll be a Bengal, and on the field, at least through the '26 season.

Now, I think something gets done because the process was always going to be sign Burrow and sign Chase. Higgins was a potential 3rd option but the sharp rise in WR salaries pretty much kicked that thought out the window.

Like I said - Chase will likely see a 4 year deal, likely after this season, that gets him into the 150-160M range with something like 100M-105M guaranteed. Less guaranteed, but more money over the years - and with how the Bengals typically operate, you can feel pretty safe in assuming Chase will see all 4 years. Could see them going 5 years if they up the guarantee to get him past Jefferson...but that would be a pretty long contract....

How this plays out really depends on Chase's preference for risk and his agent's need to sign the biggest deal. It was reported that Jefferson was given a ~28 million per year offer on the eve of last season and he turned it down and bet on himself. I think that was a fair deal by Minnesota given the market at the time, and it was within Jefferson's rights to turn it down. It worked out for him. My assumption is that the Bengals will do something similar - If I were them, I would do it this year..... You don't need to offer Jefferson money - See if he'll sign for close to 30..... spread out the cap hits in a reasonable way since you still have the rookie deal to work from (an extension not a new deal) and you'll be in good shape for the future.

But.... If Chase wants to be the top paid receiver (even temporarily), he'll likely need to wait two more seasons. There is no incentive for the Bengals to offer a deal greater than Jefferson's for at least one more year.... And probably two more years.

 

[Cincyfan78]

How this plays out really depends on Chase's preference for risk and his agent's need to sign the biggest deal. It was reported that Jefferson was given a ~28 million per year offer on the eve of last season and he turned it down and bet on himself. I think that was a fair deal by Minnesota given the market at the time, and it was within Jefferson's rights to turn it down. It worked out for him. My assumption is that the Bengals will do something similar - If I were them, I would do it this year..... You don't need to offer Jefferson money - See if he'll sign for close to 30..... spread out the cap hits in a reasonable way since you still have the rookie deal to work from (an extension not a new deal) and you'll be in good shape for the future.

But.... If Chase wants to be the top paid receiver (even temporarily), he'll likely need to wait two more seasons. There is no incentive for the Bengals to offer a deal greater than Jefferson's for at least one more year.... And probably two more years.

It'll be interesting to see for sure.

I can see all kinds of sides to why sign now and also why wait.

If I am Chase - it's less about betting on myself and more about getting that top paid amount now AND being able to get back to the market by age 28 so I can hit on one more really good contract. If he plays the waiting game - he could end up being under 1 contract until age 30 season, and that will limit his ability to sign another top end contract. As long as he's good he'll still get paid, sure, but teams are wary about WR's that enter the 30's.

If I'm the Bengals - I'd look to do it now as well...lock him up now for $150M or risk WR salaries continuing to explode and end up paying nearly $200M in 2 or 3 years...the money saved by the 5th year option and the tag would all but be negated meaning that there wasn't a net savings for the team, and all you did was piss off your star WR...

 

[cincygrad]

It'll be interesting to see for sure.

I can see all kinds of sides to why sign now and also why wait.

If I am Chase - it's less about betting on myself and more about getting that top paid amount now AND being able to get back to the market by age 28 so I can hit on one more really good contract. If he plays the waiting game - he could end up being under 1 contract until age 30 season, and that will limit his ability to sign another top end contract. As long as he's good he'll still get paid, sure, but teams are wary about WR's that enter the 30's.

If I'm the Bengals - I'd look to do it now as well...lock him up now for $150M or risk WR salaries continuing to explode and end up paying nearly $200M in 2 or 3 years...the money saved by the 5th year option and the tag would all but be negated meaning that there wasn't a net savings for the team, and all you did was piss off your star WR...

Bottom line is this - The Bengals shouldn't make him the top paid wide receiver in football this offseason. When you control a player's rights for up to 3 more years, you don't need to make this type of offer. That doesn't mean you low ball him, but you also don't cut a check bigger than JJs. So, assuming the Bengals will negotiate, the ball is in Chase's court. Take a great deal, less than JJ, but one that gives you some big guarantees over the next couple of years and gets you to a second FA deal 5 years from now. Or, put up a big season and demand for top dollar next offseason. I suspect being paid more than JJ is a big deal to Chase and I suspect he won't push it until next summer.