Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing. On March 3, 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals made a significant move by placing the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second consecutive year. This decision, confirmed by Higgins himself with a simple "tag" post on X, ensures that the 26-year-old star remains with the team for the 2025 season, barring a trade or a long-term extension by July 15. The tag guarantees Higgins a fully secured salary of $26.2 million, a 120% increase over his 2024 franchise tag earnings of $21.8 million, reflecting the NFL’s formula for players tagged in consecutive years. For Bengals fans, this move keeps a key piece of their offensive puzzle intact, but it also raises questions about the team’s long-term plans. Higgins, drafted in the second round in 2020, has been instrumental in transforming the Bengals from a struggling franchise into a perennial contender. With 4,595 receiving yards and 34 touchdowns over five seasons, he ranks among the league’s elite receivers, even despite injury setbacks that limited him to 12 games in each of the past two years. His 2024 performance—73 catches, 911 yards, and a career-high 10 touchdowns—underscored his value to quarterback Joe Burrow and the offense, making him a prime candidate for a lucrative free-agent deal had he hit the open market. The Bengals’ decision reflects a delicate balancing act. While they’ve expressed a desire to secure Higgins long-term, as emphasized by director of player personnel Duke Tobin at the NFL scouting combine, they also face pressing financial commitments. Ja’Marr Chase, an All-Pro receiver, is in line to become the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson seeks a hefty extension or trade. Tagging Higgins buys time, but negotiations remain distant, with reports suggesting he’d command over $30 million annually in free agency—above the tag’s value. Speculation swirls about a potential tag-and-trade scenario, with some NFL insiders noting league-wide belief that Cincinnati might deal Higgins for draft capital if a long-term deal falters. This could replenish resources while addressing other roster needs. For now, Higgins stays put, a vital cog in a Bengals squad aiming to keep its championship window open. Yet, as the July deadline looms, the saga of his future—stay, sign, or trade—promises to keep Bengals Nation on edge.