Bengals Franchise Tag WR Tee Higgins for Second Straight Year

Image credits: Source Link

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second straight year, according to recent reports. Higgins announced the news on social media, and the Bengals later confirmed the move, stating their intention to continue working towards a long-term deal with the player. The franchise tender would pay Higgins $26.2 million for the 2025 season if a long-term contract is not agreed upon by the July 15 deadline.

The Bengals have expressed optimism about securing deals with Higgins, as well as wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson, in the offseason. Chase and Hendrickson are currently under contract for one more season. During the NFL scouting combine, Bengals de facto general manager Duke Tobin mentioned the team's desire to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Higgins has been a crucial part of the Bengals' transformation into a championship contender, and the team is keen to retain his services.

Higgins has been one of the most productive receivers in the league over the past five seasons, ranking 18th in total receiving yards (4,595) and 14th in touchdowns (34), according to ESPN Research. Despite his impressive numbers, Higgins has battled injury issues in recent years, playing in only 12 games in each of the past two seasons. However, he still managed to catch 10 touchdowns in 2024, tied for sixth in the league, and averaged 75.9 receiving yards per game, ranking 10th in the league. The franchise tag deadline is set for Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, and teams have until then to place the tag on pending free agents.

The NFL's franchise tag system allows teams to retain one player set to become an unrestricted free agent by offering a one-year contract with a salary based on the average of the top five salaries at the player's position. There are exclusive and non-exclusive tags, as well as transition tags, each with its own set of rules and implications. The transition tag is another designation that teams can use to retain a player, with the contract based on the average of the top 10 salaries at the player's position. Here are the franchise tag values for each position:

• Quarterback: $40.242 million
• Running back: $13.64 million
• Wide receiver: $23.959 million
• Tight end: $13.826 million
• Offensive line: $23.4 million
• Defensive end: $22.0625 million
• Defensive tackle: $25.12 million
• Linebacker: $25.45 million
• Cornerback: $20.187 million
• Safety: $18.601 million
• Punter/kicker: $6.313 million

The Bengals' decision to franchise tag Higgins for the second consecutive year demonstrates their commitment to retaining his services and working towards a long-term deal. With the July 15 deadline looming, the team will need to negotiate a contract that meets Higgins' expectations and fits within their salary cap. The outcome of these negotiations will have significant implications for the Bengals' roster and their chances of success in the 2025 season.