6 hours ago
(7 hours ago)George Cantstandya Wrote: They can't trade with the Bengals until Higgins signs his tender. That's what I'm talking about. I'd have to dig through the CBA but I'm not even sure a team can legally negotiate a trade for an unsigned tagged player. because technically they are not under contract. Sure I guess they could do some behind the scenes, "Hey we'll give you this and that round pick if you get Tee to sign his tender and you trade him to us." But even then Higgins doesn't have to sign his tender until after the draft. So if he doesn't want to go to said team he holds a few cards there as well as I imagine the Bengals would want draft picks this year for any trade.
Of course any tag and trade will have to be an agreement not only between teams but also that the player wants to go there and will sign an extension. That's kind of a big distinction IMO with the tag and trade, the players willingness to go to said team and sign an extension. Where any normal trade the player doesn't really have a choice unless they want to sit out and refuse to play.
Im not sure what point you are trying to make. Nothing is preventing Tee from negotiating with other teams. Nothing is preventing Tee from signing an offer with another team. The Bengals have no say in that. However, If that other team doesnt want to give up 2 first round draft picks to sign Tee, they will need to negotiate with the Bengals for something less. Just because Tee hasnt signed the franchise tender, doesnt mean the Bengals cant negotiate with that team. In the Bengals case they could tell New England, either give us the #4 pick in the draft or we arent trading him regardless if Tee has signed the franchise tender or not. Tee cant go anywhere without the Bengals allowing it to happen.
