Tagged! How Tee Higgins’ Franchise Tag Impacts the Bengals’ Offense and Future
The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off a season where a Week 1 loss to the Patriots ultimately cost them a playoff berth. Despite Joe Burrow’s stellar performance, averaging over three touchdowns in his last nine games, the Bengals watched the playoffs from the sidelines. Now, all eyes are on how the Bengals will maintain their offensive firepower in 2025. A key piece of that puzzle is Tee Higgins.
The Higgins Predicament: Tagged Again
The Bengals have once again used the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, a move that guarantees him a $26.2 million salary for the 2025 season. This is a 20% increase from his previous tag of $21.8 million. While this secures Higgins for another year, it raises questions about the long-term strategy for the Bengals’ offense.
Higgins’ Value to the Bengals
Since being drafted in 2020, Higgins has been a vital part of the Bengals’ offense. In 2024, he recorded 73 receptions for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns. He has consistently proven to be a reliable playmaker, and the Bengals are undeniably a better team with him on the field. Duke Tobin, the Bengals’ director of player personnel, has emphasized the team’s commitment to retaining Higgins, stating, “We are better with Tee Higgins, and we’re planning to have him.”
The Franchise Tag: A Temporary Fix?
The franchise tag allows the Bengals to retain exclusive negotiating rights with Higgins as they work towards a long-term contract. The Bengals and Higgins have until July 15th to finalize an extension. If they don’t reach an agreement, Higgins will play the 2025 season under the terms of the franchise tag.
Impact on the Bengals’ Offense
With Ja’Marr Chase also securing a 4 year $161 million extension, keeping Higgins ensures that Joe Burrow has his top two targets for the foreseeable future. The Bengals’ offense has the potential to be the best in the NFL in 2025. In 2024, they scored 30+ points eight times and had 400+ yards of offense six times. Joe Burrow led the league in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43).
Since 2021, Chase and Higgins rank first among all NFL wide receiver duos with 658 receptions, 9,112 yards, and 74 touchdowns. The Bengals are 21-10 when Burrow, Chase, and Higgins all play.
Contract Details and Future Implications
Higgins signed a four-year, $115 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid No. 2 wide receiver in NFL history. He will earn $28.7 million annually, which ranks sixth-most among all active wide receivers. However, only $30 million is fully guaranteed, less than half of Chase’s $73.9 million guaranteed.
Higgins will receive a $20 million roster bonus five days after signing the contract and a $10 million roster bonus next March. His $13.8 million base salary for 2025 is not guaranteed, but his $10.9 million base salary for 2026 becomes fully guaranteed next March. The contract includes $2 million in per-game roster bonuses throughout the four years of the deal, providing Cincinnati with protection against injuries.
The Wide Receiver Landscape
The Bengals’ depth chart at wide receiver includes Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, and Jermaine Burton. Charlie Jones and Isaiah Williams provide additional options. While Chase and Higgins are the clear top two, the development of Iosivas and Burton will be crucial for the team’s long-term success.
The Road Ahead
The Bengals are aiming to build a team that can compete for Super Bowls. Retaining Tee Higgins is a significant step in that direction. However, the team must also address other needs on both sides of the ball. The Bengals’ front office faces the challenge of balancing these substantial contracts while maintaining a competitive roster.