As anticipated, Tee Higgins is not going to attain the market in 2025. The Bengals wideout introduced on Monday he has been knowledgeable of the staff’s choice to make use of the franchise tag on him for the second yr in a row.
After Higgins was tagged final offseason, he wound up being the one participant who didn’t finally work out a long-term pact together with his staff. That created the expectation of a free-agent departure in 2025, the place the 26-year-old would have been by far essentially the most sought-after receiver available on the market. For the previous two weeks, although, indicators have pointed to the tag being used once again to forestall that state of affairs.
When utilized the second time round, franchise tags value 20% greater than the earlier yr’s value. As such, tagging Higgins in 2025 will value the Bengals $26.16M. That determine will instantly come onto the staff’s books, and the previous second-rounder will earn that quantity (which is assured in full) if he indicators the tag and performs on it subsequent season.
After all, the tag could be (and infrequently is) used strictly as a placeholder to make sure further time to barter a long-term deal. That was the objective on this state of affairs final time round, however staff and participant didn’t come notably near an settlement. The perimeters may have till July 15 to hammer out a contract and keep away from one other season with Higgins’ future unsure.
Higgins has labored as a extremely efficient complement to Ja’Marr Chase, who himself was unable to work out a Bengals extension final summer season. The latter is in line to grow to be the league’s highest earner for non-quarterbacks, one thing the Bengals acknowledged their willingness to authorize on the Mix. Regardless of that, the staff’s latest offer has reportedly left the perimeters far aside in contract talks. Chase — who received the NFL’s “Triple Crown” in 2024 — represents an apparent precedence on a monster deal, however Cincinnati additionally goals to maintain Higgins in place for years to come back.
Quarterback Joe Burrow has gone public together with his need to see every of Chase, Higgins and 2024 sack chief Trey Hendrickson retained for 2025 and past. Burrow is prepared to restructure his deal to assist release cap house within the speedy future, though Cincinnati has made numerous cost-shedding moves not too long ago as effectively. Previous to Monday’s information, the staff had roughly $69M in cap house, however a big portion of that can now be dedicated to Higgins.
The Clemson product has topped 900 receiving yards 4 occasions in his five-year profession. Having missed 5 video games in every of the previous two campaigns, accidents characterize an element to be thought of by the Bengals, however Higgins was linked to a annual common worth of $30M or extra within the occasion he hit the open market. A number of suitors (no matter if the Patriots would have been one in every of them) had been in line to make important gives. Now, solely a tag-and-trade would permit for Higgins to play elsewhere subsequent yr.
The 2025 free-agent class is brief on impression receivers close to Higgins’ age, and this yr’s draft is not viewed in the same light as previous ones with respect to first-round prospects. These elements will make the commerce market one thing to observe carefully on the place as groups look to make at the least modest additions to their pass-catching corps. Deebo Samuel is headed to Washington, however Cooper Kupp is among the many veterans set to be on the transfer quickly.
The Chiefs have used the franchise tag to maintain guard Trey Smith off the market. He and Higgins had been set to among the many finest free brokers (no matter place) out there at first of the brand new league yr subsequent week. Sam Darnold stays the highest choice, though the Vikings may hold their 2024 beginning quarterback in place by using the tag. A call on that entrance will must be made by Tuesday afternoon. In any case, essentially the most enticing choice on the ability positions is not going to check free company.
