Cincinnati Bengals make big decision on Tee Higgins' future

One of the NFL's top free-agent wide receivers is now off the market. The Cincinnati Bengals have franchise-tagged Tee Higgins. 

The 25-year-old will not hit the open market. Instead, Higgins will go onto the franchise tag. 

 

 

Teams use the franchise tag on players when they cannot strike a long-term deal. In previous years, quarterbacks Dak Prescott and Kirk Cousins have played on franchise tags before signing contract extensions. 

The Bengals and Higgins have engaged in on-off contract talks since last summer. The franchise tag confirms that the two sides have not come close to finalising a new deal. 

Higgins will play the 2024-25 season on the franchise tag if they cannot agree on a contract extension. That is a one-year deal where Higgins will earn $21.8 million. That money will also sit on Cincinnati's salary cap bill for the upcoming season. 

However, the Bengals can continue talks for a contract extension. The tag just confirms that Higgins cannot speak to other teams on the open market. 

Moreover, the Bengals could trade Higgins if they feel they will not get a deal done. 

Nonetheless, this move does have implications across the NFL. Higgins was one of the hot free agents. He is no longer available. And the Bengals will see a hefty chunk of their salary cap money disappear with this move. 

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