Despite the looming deadline, the Bengals are unlikely to reach an extension with Tee Higgins by July. Higgins is the only player among those tagged this year who remains unsigned, as the others, including transition-tagged Kyle Dugger, have already secured long-term contracts.

With the Bengals focusing on Ja’Marr Chase as their top priority at wide receiver, Higgins finds himself in a state of uncertainty. Negotiations between the Bengals and Higgins’ camp stalled over a year ago, with no talks resuming since then. The lack of communication suggests that Higgins may be in for a temporary arrangement with the team.

Although Higgins expressed a desire for a trade in March, he later confirmed his intent to play for the Bengals this season. The Bengals have placed a $21.8MM franchise tag on Higgins, who has yet to sign the tender and has opted to skip team workouts. If a deal is not reached by July 15, negotiations cannot resume until the end of the season, potentially leading to the Bengals re-tagging Higgins in 2025.

Given the recent extensions signed by other wide receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown, and Jaylen Waddle, Higgins’ value could increase, making it challenging for the Bengals to reach a deal without a significant financial commitment. The possibility of Higgins being tagged again next year remains a concern, especially considering the team’s history with franchise tags.

Despite being a key player in the Bengals’ pursuit of a Super Bowl title, Higgins’ prolonged negotiation process indicates that an extension may not be imminent. His performance in 2023, coupled with the team’s past dealings with franchise tags, suggests that a resolution may not be reached anytime soon.