Chad Johnson blasts Bengals over 'disrespectful' Tee Higgins decision

A Cincinnati Bengals franchise legend thinks the team is making a big mistake in its handling of Tee Higgins.

Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” Tuesday and suggested that the team’s decision to tag Higgins for a second straight year was “disrespectful.” In Johnson’s view, the second tag is a signal that the Bengals do not value Higgins long-term, and that they would have already worked out a multiyear deal if they really wanted him.

“Disrespectful. All they’re saying, the first year, okay, you tag me, you want me to bet on myself and see if I can repeat it and do it again,” Johnson said. “The second time you tag me, it’s like when you like a girl, you’re interested in her, and she puts you in the friend zone. ‘I don’t really value you long-term, so I’m going to put you in the friend zone.’

“If you wanted to work out a deal, you’d have done it a long time ago. ‘There was nothing wrong with me the previous season. Okay, I proved myself. I was productive again.’ I understand what Tee can make on the open market. … If you don’t value him long-term, why even play this game? Let him go. Let him walk.”