Recently, in a mostly deserted ballroom at the Westin in downtown Indianapolis, Duke Tobin, the Cincinnati Bengals’ director of player personnel and de facto GM, found himself engaged in a familiar discussion.
Once again, the primary focus was on wide receiver Tee Higgins and his long-term future with the team. This marks the third consecutive offseason where the Bengals have had to mull over decisions regarding one of their offensive stalwarts. The decision made this Monday wasn’t new territory for either party in the negotiation talks.
For the second year in a row, the Bengals have placed the franchise tag on Higgins, continuing the storyline of managing his potential long-term extension. Last year, despite efforts, the team couldn’t finalize a deal with the talented fifth-year wideout from Clemson.
This time, the Bengals have tagged Higgins again, a move that serves either as a short-term fix or as a provisional step toward reaching a more permanent agreement during the offseason.
Higgins made a significant impact last year, racking up a personal-best of 10 touchdown receptions, and the Bengals showcased an 8-4 record in the 12 games he played in 2024. In stark contrast, they went 1-4 in the matches he missed. Since starting his NFL journey in 2020, Higgins has bagged 34 receiving touchdowns, ranking him 14th in the league. He is among the select few players with at least five touchdown catches in each of the past five seasons.
Bengals beat reporter Ben Baby has dived into this story, unpacking the implications of this move, including how it might influence upcoming deals for players like Ja’Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson. Meanwhile, national reporter Jeremy Fowler has gathered insights from around the league.
Over the years, being tagged in back-to-back seasons often leads to a long-term agreement. Out of the last seven players who found themselves in this situation, six eventually signed long-term deals. The question now is whether Higgins will follow suit.
The Journey So Far: How Did We Reach This Point?
For three years now, negotiations between the Bengals and Higgins over a long-term contract have been intense. After receiving the tag last year, Higgins requested a trade, aiming to secure a new contract. Despite this, he ended up signing the tag, participating in 12 games, and notably, switching his agent this year from David Mulugheta to Rocky Arceneaux and Caitlin Aoki at Alliance Sports Management. Interestingly, Arceneaux also represents Higgins’ teammate Ja’Marr Chase, who is also eyeing an extension.
Higgins has been consistent and reliable on the field when fit. Yet, with the clock ticking, the Bengals opted for the tag as it offers the team several options.
Higgins’ Perspective and Potential Recourse
Higgins and the team can still reach a consensus on an extension, with the deadline looming on July 15. However, the fact that the franchise tag has come into play is a telling sign.
When tagged last year, Higgins understood that a new deal wasn’t imminent. Wanting to steer clear of media drama, he accepted the franchise tag ahead of training camp. His brief "tag" post on Monday indicates his awareness of the situation. Whether or not being tagged again elevates his dissatisfaction with the Bengals as the weeks progress remains to be seen.
Voice from Around the League
Even though the Bengals aim to secure him with a long-term contract, the franchise tag serves as a cost-effective placeholder at $26.1 million, less than Higgins’ perceived market value.
There’s speculation on whether the Bengals can secure new deals for all three: Chase, Higgins, and Hendrickson. But rest assured, they’ll attempt to do so. Other teams may tempt Cincinnati with trade propositions, especially if receiver-seeking franchises like New England find themselves lacking after free agency. However, Cincinnati has a track record of retaining their top talents rather than trading them away.
Future Prospects for Higgins in Cincinnati
The Bengals have consistently valued Higgins highly. Amid the current contract conundrum, Tobin expressed his unwavering admiration for the player since he was drafted in 2020.
"My opinion of Tee has not changed," Tobin shared. "When he came in, I was sure of what we had, and he has only reaffirmed that over time."
Yet, should the Bengals fail to secure a long-term contract and Higgins declines the tag, trading him for draft picks might be a strategic move to find a replacement.
The Potential Distraction Factor
Higgins chose to sign the 2024 franchise tag before the training camp to avoid unnecessary headlines. His presence and performance have been lauded by teammates and staff, including by quarterback Joe Burrow, who strongly advocates for Higgins’ retention.
Any unresolved tensions over his future could strain relations with Burrow, placing Cincinnati’s front office in a challenging position.
Implications for Chase and Hendrickson
This scenario potentially gives Chase additional leverage as he negotiates to become among the highest-paid non-QB players, a goal Tobin has acknowledged.
With Higgins’ situation uncertain, securing one long-term receiver for Burrow gains immediate significance. However, holding Higgins on the tag for the 2025 season might affect available cap space, complicating deals for both Chase and Hendrickson due to the tag’s immediate impact on the cap.
Despite potential constraints, Cincinnati should manage to secure agreements with their two All-Pro players, helped by an expected cap increase to $279.2 million in 2025.
