The Cincinnati Bengals put forth a 9-8 season in 2024-25, which was an identical record to what they had in the previous season, but felt even more disappointing given how explosive Joe Burrow and this offense were.
After missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year, it’s once again time for this team to figure out what it’s doing with its two star wide receivers who are both looking for big paydays.
One of those decisions has apparently been made already as the Bengals have figured out what to do with Tee Higgins.
Bengals insider James Rapien shared on X that the Bengals plan to franchise tag Higgins for the second year in a row when the tag window officially opens.
BREAKING: The Bengals plan to franchise tag Tee Higgins for the second straight season, per @JamesRapien. pic.twitter.com/mbbcjUcdpc
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 17, 2025
The 26-year-old played last season on the franchise tag after a whirling offseason that featured big contract demands and a trade extension, both of which didn’t come to fruition.
Higgins was the only player last offseason to play on the franchise tag and not receive a long-term extension, but early reports indicate that things could be different this time, and the Bengals intend on giving him that elusive extension this year.
Burrow has been outspoken about how important it is for this offense to retain both Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, even though doing so would lock up an extraordinary amount of money for the wide receiver position for years to come.
If Higgins isn’t extended and demands another trade, he’d immediately become perhaps the top available option on the market, but Bengals fans and Burrow himself will be hoping it never comes to that.
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