Deadlines make offers.
That is an axiom that’s instilled within the minds of sports activities followers and legal professionals alike. With apologies to Andrew Brandt — the previous agent who went on to change into the Vice President of the Inexperienced Bay Packers — who usually outlines how “deadlines spur motion” in his position as an analyst in case you are hoping for motion a couple of participant’s contract scenario, search for impending deadlines.
To that finish, this can be a important week for Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Again in February, the Bengals positioned the franchise tag on the extensive receiver, and after weeks of discussions concerning a possible long-term contract Higgins signed the tag in June, that means that if a long-term deal between the receiver and the Bengals shouldn’t be reached by the deadline for such offers, Higgins will play the 2024 season below the tag and change into a free agent for 2025.
When is that deadline?
Subsequent Monday, July 15.
In line with Article 10, Part 2(okay) of the league’s Collective Bargaining Settlement:
Any Membership designating a Franchise Participant shall have till 4:00 p.m., New York time, on July 15 of the League 12 months (or, if July 15 falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the primary Monday thereafter) for which the designation takes impact to signal the participant to a multiyear contract or extension. After that date, the participant might signal solely a one-year Participant Contract together with his Prior Membership for that season, and such Participant Contract might not be prolonged till after the Membership’s final common season sport of that League 12 months.
Whereas latest studies indicated {that a} long-term contract between the events stays “unlikely” given the looming Ja’Marr Chase contract extension, this week is the final greatest hope for such a contract to be signed. With the July 15 deadline looming, that might spur either side to motion. From Higgins’ standpoint, the safety provided by a long-term deal might outweigh any potential dangers related to taking part in below the tag.
For the Bengals, bringing again Higgins on a long-term deal retains continuity within the offensive huddle, and whereas the Bengals have been linked with receivers in subsequent yr’s draft class within the “way-too-early mock drafts” this summer season, subsequent spring is a great distance away.
And, as we all know, deadlines make offers.