Current:Home > MarketsBengals to use franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins -Secure Growth Academy
Bengals to use franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins
View
Date:2025-04-27 21:34:12
The window for NFL franchise tags to be issued just opened Tuesday, but the first move has already been made.
The Cincinnati Bengals told wide receiver Tee Higgins they will use the tag on him, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon.
The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team hadn't yet made it official.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport first reported the news Friday.
The move would keep Higgins off the open market when free agency officially begins at the start of the new league year on March 13.
All things Bengals: Latest Cincinnati Bengals news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
If Higgins does not strike a long-term deal and remains on the franchise tag, he would earn $21.8 million next season.
Higgins had ranked as one of the best potential free agents this offseason, coming in at No. 3 on USA TODAY Sports' pre-tag breakdown.
Higgins, 25, has emerged as one of the NFL's top No. 2 receivers since the Clemson product was selected by the Bengals in the second round of the 2020 draft. Working in tandem with top target Ja'Marr Chase, he eclipsed 1,000 yards in both 2021 and 2022. Last season, however, he played in just 12 games while dealing with a fractured rib and a hamstring injury late in the year.
After the end of the season, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow made it clear he wanted Higgins back in some form for at least 2024.
“I know Tee wants to be here,” Burrow said in January. “Tee knows we want him here. There’s not much to say in that aspect. Everybody’s expectations is Tee is going to be back.
"We’ll see. The offseason plays out in crazy ways you don’t expect. I’d love to have Tee back and I know he wants to be back.”
Teams have until March 5 to reach decisions on the franchise tag.
Contributing: Tyler Dragon
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Latest Bleaching of Great Barrier Reef Underscores Global Coral Crisis
- Russia's ruble drops to 14-month low after rebellion challenges Putin's leadership
- Why Shay Mitchell Isn't Making Marriage Plans With Partner Matte Babel
- Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
- This Amazon Maxi Dress Has 2,300+ Five-Star Ratings— & Reviewers Say It Fits Beautifully
- American Climate Video: When a School Gym Becomes a Relief Center
- No Matter Who Wins, the US Exits the Paris Climate Accord the Day After the Election
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- American Climate Video: When a School Gym Becomes a Relief Center
Ranking
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Taking the Climate Fight to the Streets
- Having an out-of-body experience? Blame this sausage-shaped piece of your brain
- Coach Outlet Memorial Day Sale 2023: Shop Trendy Handbags, Wallets & More Starting at $19
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Climate Action, Clean Energy Key to U.S. Prosperity, Business Leaders Urge Trump
- Climate Policies Could Boost Economic Growth by 5%, OECD Says
- Ted Lasso's Tearful Season 3 Finale Teases Show's Fate
Recommendation
California DMV apologizes for license plate that some say mocks Oct. 7 attack on Israel
Zooey Deschanel Is Officially a New Girl With Blonde Hair Transformation
Obama: Trump Cannot Undo All Climate Progress
Prominent billionaire James Crown dies in crash at Colorado racetrack
Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
Elizabeth Holmes Begins 11-Year Prison Sentence in Theranos Fraud Case
American Whitelash: Fear-mongering and the rise in white nationalist violence
Convicted double murderer Joseph Zieler elbows his attorney in face — then is sentenced to death in Florida