Camilla Stewart, the mother of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, sparked a social media uproar Monday evening with a tweet that many fans quickly linked to the team’s reported decision to franchise tag her son for the second consecutive year.
Stewart posted a comment online.
“Selfish bastards,” she posted.
This led to speculation that it was a reaction to the Bengals’ expected move to franchise tag Higgins as the deadline nears. The franchise tag would limit Higgins’ potential earnings, preventing him from entering free agency where he could command a higher salary.
However, Stewart clarified that her tweet had nothing to do with the Bengals. Responding to fans who asked if her post was related to the team, she denied the connection, saying, “It’s not” about the Bengals. Despite her clarification, the tweet created a stir, fueling discussion about the sensitive nature of Higgins’ ongoing contract situation.
Higgins’ free-Agent status and impact
At just 26 years old, Higgins is one of the top free-agent wide receivers this year. With impressive stats-911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns in only nine games this season-he’s proven himself to be an elite player who could easily be a No. 1 receiver on many NFL teams.
If Higgins becomes a free agent, several teams are likely to pursue him, resulting in a competitive market for his services.
The Bengals’ decision to franchise tag Higgins would prevent him from testing the free-agent waters, a move that some believe could frustrate him, as he would miss the opportunity to secure a potentially more lucrative deal.
The Bengals are facing a complex financial dilemma as they attempt to retain key players. In addition to Higgins, the team also wants to secure star receiver Ja’Marr Chase and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson.
However, with quarterback Joe Burrow already on a substantial contract, some wonder if the Bengals can afford to pay top dollar for two wide receivers, especially with pressing needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Burrow, who is also deeply invested in the team’s future, recently commented on how the Bengals can navigate their salary cap to keep Higgins. He suggested options like restructuring contracts, converting money into signing bonuses, or potentially having players take pay cuts to keep the roster intact.
While Higgins’ future remains uncertain, both the Bengals and Burrow seem committed to maintaining their high-powered offense. The situation surrounding Higgins is still in flux, and the coming days will be critical in determining whether he stays in Cincinnati or moves on to explore free agency.
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