Cincinatti wants Tee Higgins around. To keep him from free agency, putting a franchise tag on Higgins was the right move for the Bengals front office. On March 3, the Bengals franchise tagged him, and he’s guaranteed to make over $26 million next season. 

Higgins had significant buzz around his name in free agency conversations, as he would be a WR1 on most teams, but he’s under the shadow of Ja’Marr Chase. The free agency buzz around Higgins is dwindling, as he will most likely stick with a long-term deal in Cincinnati. 

Higgins turned 26 in January, so he realistically has a 4-year window in his prime. The Bengals will most likely sign him for 3 or 4 years if a deal is reached. This is also the second year in a row that Cincinnati put a franchise tag on Higgins.  

The Bengals are still stuck with the Steelers and Ravens in their division, so keeping a receiver like Higgins around would help in physical late-season games. 

With the upcoming insanity of free agency, Higgins’ franchise tagging is a relief to Cincinnati and a letdown for other teams in need of receiving help. The 6-foot4-inch wideout will most likely not have a new home for 2025-26, and the Bengals will look to rebound off a tough season with their lethal wide receiver duo. 

Cover image from @teehiggins on Instagram