Cincinnati Bengals expected to franchise tag WR Tee Higgins

Coming off a frustrating season, the Cincinnati Bengals are looking to find a way to get back to the playoffs. That starts in the offseason when the team is going to make some key decisions regarding its roster. Included in those decisions is, of course, the fate of wide receiver Tee Higgins.

It’s now being reported by Paul Dehner of The Athletic that the Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag on Higgins.

Without using the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, he would become a free agent when the new league calendar begins in March. The only other option to avoid that would be to sign Higgins to a long-term deal. Of course, Cincinnati could still sign Higgins to a long-term deal after franchising him.

That seems to be Cincinnati’s goal by using the franchise tag on Higgins. It will also leave him with a couple options of his own. If he doesn’t want to play on the franchise tag, he can sit out and try to force the team’s hand. However, if he does choose to play on the tag, he’ll make an estimated $20.7 million in 2024.

It’s a cap hit the team can take in the short term, with quarterback Joe Burrow‘s hit still relatively low in 2024. However, Burrow’s number will be going up by nearly $20 million for the 2025 season. So, it is only a short-term answer.

Signing a long-term deal now would provide Tee Higgins with stability in a violent sport where your standing can quickly change. However, if he does bet on himself and waits a year for the deal, he may be able to help himself out. Multiple elite receivers are coming up on new contracts, meaning the market will get reset. At the same time, that long-term deal may not come with Cincinnati.

Either way, an official decision is coming within weeks, as tags are due by March 5th.

Deshaun Watson lobbies for Tee Higgins to join Cleveland Browns

Division rival Deshaun Watson lobbied for Tee Higgins to join him with the Cleveland Browns late in January.

“We wanna pass the ball. That’s what we’re gonna do. We’re gonna pass the ball a lot,” Watson said.

“We’re gonna take good care of you. The Cleveland fans are gonna love you to death. We got the Clemson ties. We ain’t get to play with each other, but this is our opportunity.”

There is an interesting connection between Watson and Higgins, with both having played at Clemson. However, it would still be a bold move to leave Cincinnati for one of the franchise’s biggest rivals.