Bengals Franchise Tag Tee Higgins Again, Seek Long-Term Deal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second straight year, ensuring he remains with the team for the 2025 season unless a long-term deal is reached. Higgins, who would have been a top free agent, will earn $26.2 million if no extension is agreed upon by July 15.
Bengals Franchise Tag Tee Higgins: Quick Looks
- Higgins Tagged Again – The Bengals placed the franchise tag on Higgins for the second consecutive season.
- $26.2 Million Salary Pending – If no deal is reached by July 15, Higgins will play under the tag.
- Team Committed to a Long-Term Deal – Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin reaffirmed efforts to keep Higgins in Cincinnati.
- Higgins Reacts on Social Media – The wide receiver acknowledged the tag with a simple one-word post: “tag.”
- Strong 2024 Season – Higgins had 10 touchdown catches, 73 receptions, and 911 yards last year.
- Other Bengals Contract Priorities – Cincinnati is also working on deals for Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson.
Deep Look
Cincinnati Retains Star Wide Receiver—For Now
The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second consecutive season, keeping him under team control for at least one more year. If no long-term deal is reached by July 15, Higgins will play the 2025 season under a $26.2 million salary.
Higgins, one of the most talented receivers in the league, would have been one of the top names in free agency. Instead, the Bengals ensured he stays in Cincinnati—at least temporarily—while negotiations continue. His immediate reaction to the news was a simple social media post: “tag.”
The move is a sign that the Bengals remain committed to keeping Higgins, but also that they face significant financial decisions in the coming months. With All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson also due for contract extensions, Cincinnati’s front office must carefully navigate their salary cap while retaining key players.
Bengals Determined to Keep Higgins Long-Term
Cincinnati’s director of player personnel, Duke Tobin, has repeatedly emphasized his desire to keep Higgins in a Bengals uniform for years to come.
“You can pull up three years ago, talking about doing a long-term deal with Tee, and here we are today, still talking about doing a long-term deal,” Tobin said last week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“Whenever I’m in charge of a football team, I want Tee Higgins, and so I’m going to do what I can to get Tee Higgins.”
Despite this confidence, contract talks have been slow-moving, which is why the Bengals opted to use the franchise tag again. The July 15 deadline now looms as the key date—if an agreement isn’t reached by then, Higgins will be forced to play under the tag in 2025 or sit out.
Higgins’ Value to the Bengals Offense
Since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Higgins has played a crucial role in Cincinnati’s offense alongside quarterback Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. His combination of size, speed, and route-running ability has made him one of the league’s most reliable pass-catchers.
In 2024, Higgins finished with 73 receptions, 911 yards, and 10 touchdowns, despite dealing with injuries throughout the season. He has eclipsed 900 receiving yards in four of his five NFL seasons and surpassed 1,000 yards in both 2021 and 2022.
His best performance of the 2024 season came against the Denver Broncos on December 28, when he racked up 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns, including a clutch overtime score that helped keep the Bengals’ playoff hopes alive.
The Bengals finished the season 9-8 but missed the playoffs for the second straight year, something they hope to change in 2025 with Higgins, Chase, and Burrow leading the offense.
Balancing Higgins’ Deal With Other Key Contracts
Higgins is one of three star players the Bengals are trying to lock into long-term contracts. The most pressing extension involves Ja’Marr Chase, who is expected to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Chase dominated in 2024, leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdown catches (17)—achieving the rare “Triple Crown” for receivers.
On the defensive side, Trey Hendrickson is also seeking a new deal. The All-Pro pass rusher led the NFL with 17.5 sacks last season and is entering the final year of his contract. His presence has been instrumental in the Bengals’ defensive success, making him another priority for the front office.
Managing these three contracts simultaneously is a significant challenge, but Tobin remains optimistic about the team’s financial flexibility.
“We have a lot of really good football players, fantastic football players,” Tobin said. “And we’re fortunate to be in a position where we can fit them all in. We’ve managed our cap well.”
“We want a high payroll and low dead money, so the people that are in Cincinnati playing for us can get all the money. We want to re-sign these guys, reward them for their ability level, and add to the football team. It’s a tall task, but we think we’re up to it.”
What’s Next for Higgins and the Bengals?
With Higgins now officially tagged, the focus shifts to contract negotiations. The Bengals have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal—otherwise, Higgins will be locked into the one-year, $26.2 million franchise tag.
If no extension is agreed upon, Higgins could choose to play under the tag, request a trade, or even hold out. While the latter seems unlikely, the uncertainty surrounding his future could become a distraction as the Bengals prepare for the upcoming season.
In the meantime, Cincinnati’s front office must balance securing Higgins’ future while ensuring they have enough cap space for Chase and Hendrickson. With Super Bowl aspirations, the Bengals are trying to retain their core talent while maintaining financial flexibility—a difficult task but one they believe they can handle.
For now, Higgins remains a Bengal—but for how long remains to be seen.
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