THE Cincinnati Bengals were slammed as “disrespectful” by one of their franchise greats.
Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson was unhappy with the team’s treatment of star receiver Tee Higgins.
ESPNChad Johnson called the Cincinnati Bengals ‘disrespectful’[/caption] Johnson appeared on First Take with Molly Qerim and Shannon SharpeESPNHiggins, 26, had the franchise tag placed on him for a second year in a row.
The wide receiver announced the move with a one-word message on X.
“Tag,” he simply wrote on the social media platform.
The franchise tag means he will be on a one-year deal worth $26.2 million for 2025.
Higgins wants a long-term contract with the Bengals which has yet to come to fruition.
Johnson, 47, played wide receiver for Cincinnati from 2001 to 2010.
He appeared on First Take on Tuesday and had a dating analogy to describe the team’s treatment.
Johnson was asked for his thoughts on the situation by host Molly Qerim.
“Disrespectful,” he replied.
Johnson elaborated, “All it’s saying, ‘The first year, you tagged me, OK, you want me to bet on myself to see if I can repeat it and do it again.’
“The second time you tag me, it’s like when you like a girl, and you’re interested in her, and she puts you in the ‘Friend Zone.’
“It’s allowing the Bengals to buy themselves enough time to maybe work out a deal.
“But if you’d wanted to work out a deal, you would have done that a long time ago.
“I understand what Tee can make on the open market.
“I love Tee Higgins, I love the Bengals, I love the organization.
GettyTee Higgins wants a long-term deal with the Cincinnati Bengals[/caption] ReutersChad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson played for the team from 2001 to 2010[/caption]“But if you don’t value him long term, why even play this game?
“Let him go, let him walk. I have a great understanding, he has a great understanding of what he can make on the open market.”
Shannon Sharpe agreed with Johnson’s take, and had a dating analogy of his own.
Sharpe said, “I agree with everything you said, Ocho.
“Because it’s almost like the Bengals are betting against themselves.
NFL important dates 2025 season
March 12 - Free Agency begins
April 24-26 – NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin
September 4 – 2025 season opener (TBC vs Eagles)
November 27 – Thanksgiving Day triple header
January 4, 2026 – End of regular-season
February 8, 2026 – Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California
“At what point in time did they realize, ‘You know what? Tee Higgins is a valuable commodity to us. We drafted him, we grew him, and now he’s matured to what we believed he would be when we selected him in the second round.’
“Either you believe in me or you don’t.
“But we’re not going to keep dating.
“I’m not going to keep having a place over here, and you have a place over there.
“At some point in time, we’ve got to come together.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( ‘Why even play this game?’, Chad Johnson slams ‘disrespectful’ act by NFL team in angry rant live on First Take )
Also on site :