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 crew’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 ultimately work out a long-term pact along with his crew. That created the expectation of a free-agent departure in 2025, the place the 26-year-old would have been by far probably the most sought-after receiver available on the market. For the previous two weeks, although, indicators have pointed to the tag getting used as soon as once more to stop that situation.
When utilized the second time round, franchise tags value 20% greater than the earlier yr’s worth. As such, tagging Higgins in 2025 will value the Bengals $26.16M. That determine will instantly come onto the crew’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 might be (and sometimes is) used strictly as a placeholder to make sure further time to barter a long-term deal. That was the objective on this scenario final time round, however crew and participant didn’t come significantly near an settlement. The edges could 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. Despite that, the crew’s newest provide has reportedly left the edges 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 return.
Quarterback Joe Burrow has gone public along with his want to see every of Chase, Higgins and 2024 sack chief Trey Hendrickson retained for 2025 and past. Burrow is ready to restructure his deal to assist release cap house within the instant future, though Cincinnati has made a variety of cost-shedding strikes lately as effectively. Previous to Monday’s information, the crew 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 instances in his five-year profession. Having missed 5 video games in every of the previous two campaigns, accidents characterize an element to be thought-about by the Bengals, however Higgins was related 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 all them) have been in line to make vital affords. Now, solely a tag-and-trade would enable for Higgins to play elsewhere subsequent yr.
The 2025 free-agent class is brief on affect receivers close to Higgins’ age, and this yr’s draft is not considered in the identical mild as earlier ones with respect to first-round prospects. These elements will make the commerce market one thing to observe intently on the place as groups look to make a minimum of 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 have been set to among the many greatest free brokers (no matter place) accessible initially of the brand new league yr subsequent week. Sam Darnold stays the highest possibility, though the Vikings may hold their 2024 beginning quarterback in place by utilizing the tag. A choice on that entrance will should be made by Tuesday afternoon. In any case, probably the most engaging possibility on the ability positions is not going to take a look at free company.
