Boyd most likely played his final Bengals game. For the first time in his career, the veteran will be available as a free agent in March.
In the 2016 NFL Draft, the Bengals selected Boyd with the 53rd overall choice in the second round.
He finished with 513 career receptions for 6,000 yards and 31 touchdowns, surpassing the 600-yard receiving mark in seven of his eight seasons.
Though it’s difficult to see Boyd returning for the upcoming season with the prospects of Ja’Marr Chase receiving a contract extension, Tee Higgins becoming a free agent, and the development of players like Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones, one can never rule out a return.
After the game, he stated, “I don’t know what I’m going to be doing or what my future holds.” “The current season is finished. Here, I worked for my entire career. I will always remember them and always wish to return. I’ll improvise on it. Being a member of such an esteemed team makes me happy.”
To begin Boyd’s career, the Bengals suffered five straight losing seasons. They have won 31 games in the regular season, advanced to Super Bowl LVI, and played in back-to-back AFC Championship Games in the last three years.
Boyd is invaluable, at least in Browning’s opinion.
“He has spent the entire year as my locker partner. been a major factor in my ability to recover after throwing three picks in a game,” Browning remarked. “One of the best parts of the entire locker room, in my opinion. And it goes without saying that we have a ton of skill in the receiver room. He’s a major unsung hero in the changing area. I’m hoping he’s returned. However, someone will be fortunate to have him in the locker room wherever he goes.
Due to a hamstring injury, Tee Higgins was not in action on Sunday. The 24-year-old recorded career-lows in yards (656), touchdowns (5), and receptions (42).
The primary cause of the career lows is health. He will be a free agency in March after missing time due to various injuries during the season.
Is he going to reach free agency?
Higgins would adore having unrestricted free agency. During their playing career, every player aspires to be a free agent. In addition, he hopes to sign a long-term contract to return to Cincinnati.
Most likely, the solution lies in the middle.
The Bengals will use Higgins’ franchise tag, which is estimated to be worth $21 million next season, if they don’t sign him to a long-term agreement.
Are they going to force him to play tag or are they going to trade him? Although it goes against their customary approach, they must prioritize acquiring value in exchange for a player of Higgins’ caliber.
The answer is probably somewhere in the middle.
If Higgins is not signed to a long-term contract, the Bengals will use his franchise tag, which is projected to be worth $21 million next season.
Will they be trading him, or will they make him play tag? It goes against their usual process, but they have to put getting value ahead of anything else for a player like Higgins.
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