The Cincinnati Bengals are staring at one of the most important off-seasons in franchise history. The Bengals are hoping to keep star players Trey Hendrickson, Tee Higgins, and Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati for as long as possible.
Unfortunately, each of the three will command major contracts in order. Knowing this, the Bengals elected to place Tee Higgins on the franchise tag as a sort of placeholder for a long-term deal, according to one prominent NFL insider.
“The (Bengals) are placing the franchise tag on WR Tee Higgins for a second straight year,” reported Ari Meirov on Twitter.
Meirov then followed up with a year-by-year history of negotiations between Higgins and the Bengals.
“Tee Higgins’ wait for a payday: • Eligible for an extension after Year 3 — no deal. • Finished Year 4 — franchise tagged. • Played a year on the tag — franchise tagged again.”
Tee Higgins’ wait for a payday:
• Eligible for an extension after Year 3 — no deal.
• Finished Year 4 — franchise tagged.
• Played a year on the tag — franchise tagged again. https://t.co/Af6bW9jL25
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) March 3, 2025
Fans reacted to the Bengals’ decision on social media.
“Everyone in Cincy knew he wasn’t leaving. Every other fan base was delusional. Now they can work on the extension,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Don’t be cheap. Pay the man his worth he’d get on the market. Gotta be $30 to start,” added another fan.
“I guess it’s in the rules but it’s a BS move by Cincy unless TH thinks they are close to a long term deal,” one fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if Higgins harbors any resentment for being placed on the tag for a second straight year.
