Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals Expected to Franchise Tag Tee Higgins, Shutting Down Steelers’ Hopes
In an offseason expected to feature a flurry of wide receiver movement, one of the biggest potential names on the market appears to be staying put. According to Bengals On SI’s James Rapien, Cincinnati is expected to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on star wideout Tee Higgins for the second straight year, effectively keeping him off the open market.
Higgins’ Franchise Tag Decision Looming
“Sources say Higgins’ camp expects to get tagged at this point,” Rapien reported. “He would be the top free agent if he were to make it to free agency. That isn’t expected to happen. The Bengals will tag Higgins by the March 4 deadline.”
While the move isn’t officially set in stone, the expectation is that Cincinnati will secure Higgins with the tag before negotiations ramp up for a potential long-term deal. If no agreement is reached, the Bengals are reportedly comfortable with him playing on the tag again in 2025, which would pay him over $26 million, up from the $21.8 million he earned last season.
The franchise tag window officially opens Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET and runs through March 4, meaning the Bengals have some time to finalize their decision.
Impact on the Steelers and AFC North
The Steelers were one of several teams potentially interested in Higgins had he hit free agency, but those hopes now appear to be all but dead. Instead, the Bengals are positioning themselves to keep their dynamic receiving duo of Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase intact alongside quarterback Joe Burrow for the foreseeable future, creating a continued roadblock for Pittsburgh and the rest of the AFC North.
With Higgins likely off the table, the Steelers will need to explore other wide receiver options to bolster their offense. Pittsburgh could pivot toward a veteran like Davante Adams or Cooper Kupp if they become available, or address the position in April’s NFL Draft.
Long-Term Outlook for Higgins and the Bengals
After failing to agree on a long-term contract last offseason, the sense of urgency for a new deal appears heightened this time around. If the Bengals and Higgins’ camp can’t strike an agreement, playing another season on the tag could set the stage for more uncertainty in 2026.
For now, though, the Bengals are making it clear that one of the league’s top wide receivers isn’t going anywhere—at least not yet.
