Tee Higgins is at odds with the Cincinnati Bengals, and a former NFL executive tells the NFL Analysis Network that he thinks the Bengals are botching this whole thing.

“The Bengals are completely mishandling the issue with Higgins,” the former exec said. “You either want him there or you don’t. Either get him locked in, or capitalize on his value while it’s as high as it is.”

Cincinnati slapped a franchise tag on Higgins earlier this offseason, preventing the star wide receiver from reaching free agency. This peeved Higgins, who proceeded to ask for a trade.

Currently, Higgins does not appear to be on the market. The Bengals seem intent on keeping Higgins at least through 2024 and potentially revisiting the situation next offseason.

Cincinnati has until the middle of July to reach a long-term deal with Higgins, but it doesn’t look like that is going to happen. Higgins could then either opt to sign his franchise tender and play next season on a one-year deal or potentially threaten to sit out.

Here’s the problem for the Bengals: they probably don’t have the financial wherewithal to sign Higgins for the long haul.

Cincy is already paying quarterback Joe Burrow $55 million annually, and it still needs to extend fellow wide out Ja’Marr Chase, who became eligible for an extension this offseason.

It seems likely that the Bengals will prioritize Chase over Higgins, and the chances of the team paying two receivers big money seem rather slim.

The thing is, Cincinnati is trying to win a Super Bowl, and it would obviously stand a better chance of achieving that feat with Higgins on the roster in 2024.

It’s certainly a precarious situation for the Bengals.

We’ll see if Cincinnati moves toward trading Tee Higgins before the NFL Draft later this month or if it simply ends up holding on to him for at least one more season.

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