Tee Higgins is again on the franchise tag.
The Cincinnati Bengals will place the franchise tag on the standout extensive receiver for a second straight offseason, Higgins announced on Monday. The fifth-year veteran will obtain the non-exclusive franchise tag, which can enable him to barter a contract with different groups in free company.
When the Bengals positioned the franchise tag on Higgins final offseason, there wasn’t a lot dialogue over the potential of signing a long-term deal. In consequence, Higgins was the one participant to play on the franchise tag in 2024.
Higgins, who turned 26 in January, made one other sturdy case for a significant payday in 2024. He recorded 73 receptions for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns in 12 video games, serving to Joe Burrow earn MVP consideration consequently.
In consequence, Higgins is regarded by some as the highest pending free agent this offseason.
RELATED: Top 100 2025 NFL free agents: Tee Higgins, Sam Darnold lead the way
Though Higgins will likely be on the non-exclusive tag, it presents a hurdle for potential suitors to signal him. If a staff indicators Higgins to a suggestion sheet, the Bengals can both match or obtain two first-round picks for him.
A commerce is likely to be within the playing cards for Higgins and the Bengals, nevertheless. The receiver modified brokers in December, shifting on from David Mulugheta earlier than hiring Rocky Arceneaux and Caitlin Aoki of Alliance Sports activities, a doable signal that he needs to get a deal finished with the Bengals after failing to take action within the earlier two offseasons. He additionally shared that he want to stay in Cincinnati earlier in February.
“Yeah, in fact, all of us need to maintain the core items what it’s, even with Mike Gesicki,” Higgins advised FOX19 in Cincinnati. “That is a core piece as nicely. So clearly, we need to construct one thing right here in Cincy. However you recognize, it is not in my fingers proper now. So I gotta do what I have to do, and if that is go to a different staff, that is what occurs.”
Burrow has additionally voiced that he needs to see Higgins, together with Gesicki, Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson, again in Cincinnati as all of them take care of their contract conditions. The QB even told FS1’s “Breakfast Ball” earlier in February that he’d be prepared to restructure his contract with the intention to assist the Bengals maintain these gamers as they search to return to the playoffs in 2025 after lacking the postseason the previous two years.
“I believe holding all people we had final yr is clearly best,” Burrow stated. “I believe we will do it. I do know all of us need to keep collectively and make it occur. So, we’ll see what occurs. However I am assured that the blokes concerned will be capable of do what it takes to get it finished.”
Because the Bengals and Higgins work out a long-term deal, he’ll nonetheless be accounted for in opposition to the wage cap. He’ll maintain a $26.2 million cap determine for the 2025 season except he receives a long-term deal. As a result of he was franchise-tagged final offseason, Higgins’ franchise tag quantity is 120% of his 2024 cap determine.
The Bengals have roughly $43 million in cap house, per OverTheCap.com.
Need nice tales delivered proper to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Get extra from Nationwide Soccer League Comply with your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra
