Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has officially signed his franchise tag for the upcoming season. According to a source close to the matter, Higgins put pen to paper on Saturday, confirming his presence at training camp. This move comes after the conclusion of the team's three-day mandatory minicamp, in which Higgins was unable to participate due to the unsigned tag.

Quarterback Joe Burrow expressed his excitement about reconnecting with Higgins, revealing that the two remained in constant communication throughout the offseason. "Tee and I are always talking," Burrow said. "I've seen Tee several times this offseason. He looks great. Whenever he's ready to come back, I'll be excited to see him."

Higgins, a 2020 second-round pick out of Clemson, has been a crucial asset to the Bengals' offense in his first four seasons. Accumulating a total of 3,684 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns, he has proven himself to be a reliable target for Burrow. Last year, however, Higgins faced setbacks due to rib and hamstring injuries, limiting his performance to 12 games with 42 receptions, 656 yards, and five touchdowns.

By signing the franchise tag, Higgins secures a salary of $21.8 million for the upcoming season. While there is still a window of opportunity for the Bengals and Higgins to negotiate a long-term deal until July 15, the chances of such an agreement seem slim at this point.

In addition to Higgins, fellow Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase is also seeking a notable contract extension. A three-time Pro Bowler, Chase missed a significant portion of the offseason program but did report for the mandatory minicamp. However, he was limited in his participation over the course of the three days.

The Bengals, determined to bounce back from a disappointing 2023 season, are eager to regain their position as AFC North champions. The team's aspirations were derailed when Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11, resulting in Cincinnati missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

With Higgins now set to join his teammates at training camp, the Bengals will have a key piece of their offensive puzzle back in the fold as they prepare for the upcoming season.