Amon-Ra St. Brown’s Outrage
Amon-Ra St. Brown, the talented wide receiver for the Detroit Lions, recently expressed his astonishment and frustration regarding the Cincinnati Bengals’ decision to franchise tag Tee Higgins for the second consecutive season. St. Brown, who secured a long-term contract extension with the Lions last year, voiced his strong opinions on the matter during the latest episode of the St. Brown Bros. podcast.
St. Brown did not hold back, stating, “That should be illegal. I don’t give a (expletive) what nobody says.” He went on to highlight the importance of securing a more substantial deal with increased guaranteed money, emphasizing the desire for long-term security, especially after dedicating several years of stellar performance to a team. The last time the Lions resorted to franchise tagging a player was in 2018 with Ziggy Ansah, making it a rare occurrence for the franchise.
The situation with Higgins, along with offensive lineman Trey Smith, being among the few players tagged in 2024 sheds light on the complexities of NFL contractual negotiations. While Higgins retains the freedom to negotiate with other teams, he also has the option to work towards a long-term extension with the Bengals before the July 15 deadline to avoid playing under another one-year tag.
The intricacies of franchise tagging in the NFL pose challenges for both players and teams, with the potential for restricted negotiations and high stakes involved in securing top talent. St. Brown’s vocal stance on the issue adds to the ongoing debate surrounding contractual warfare in professional football.