The Cincinnati Bengals are making moves to secure their receiving corps for the foreseeable future, with reports emerging that they’ve decided to apply the franchise tag to Tee Higgins. This strategic move ensures that Higgins remains an integral part of the team and doesn’t become an unrestricted free agent.
By opting for the franchise tag, the Bengals are offering Higgins a one-year contract worth an impressive $21.816 million, fully guaranteed. This decision, made prior to the Scouting Combine, serves as a preemptive strike against potential tampering by other teams eyeing Higgins’ talents.
With the franchise tag in place, the Bengals and Higgins now have until July 15 to negotiate a longer-term deal. However, if Higgins were to be tagged again in 2025, he’d see a significant pay raise to $26.18 million, underscoring his value to the team. Naturally, Higgins will be seeking substantial guarantees in any multi-year contract discussions, aiming for at least $48 million fully guaranteed at signing.
The timing of this decision is crucial, especially with rising star receiver Ja’Marr Chase also looking to secure a major contract in the near future. The Bengals’ ability to keep both Higgins and Chase satisfied over the long term will be a key storyline to monitor as negotiations unfold.
For now, the franchise tag ensures that Higgins remains a pivotal part of the Bengals’ offensive arsenal. His combination of size, speed, and hands makes him a valuable asset on the field, and the team is clearly intent on keeping him in the fold for the upcoming season.
As the NFL offseason progresses, all eyes will be on Cincinnati to see how they navigate contract negotiations with their star receivers and what it means for the team’s future success.
