Tee Higgins Contract Rumors: Some NFL Insiders Feel Bengals Should've Let WR Leave

The Cincinnati Bengals' decision to use the franchise tag on Tee Higgins has been met with some surprise around the NFL.

On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast (starts at 5:15 mark), The Athletic's Dianna Russini noted there was a feeling from some within the league who felt like the Bengals should have just let Higgins walk in free agency.

While that certainly could be interpreted as teams were hoping they would have a chance to sign Higgins in free agency, there's a legitimate question about how the Bengals are going to build a full roster with a few players potentially making top-of-the-market money.

Higgins will receive $26.2 million if he plays on the tag for a second consecutive year, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted the Bengals "hope" the one-year tender merely serves as a placeholder before they get a long-term deal done.

In addition to potentially giving Higgins a new multiyear contract, the Bengals are trying to extend Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson. They reportedly came close to an agreement with Chase prior to the start of last season, but talks fell apart over when the guaranteed money and injury protections kicked in.

Cincinnati's de facto general manager Duke Tobin told reporters last week Chase is "going to end up being the No. 1 paid non-quarterback in the league." That distinction currently belongs to Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson at $35 million per season.

The Bengals already have Joe Burrow playing on a five-year, $275 million contract he signed in September 2023.

In terms of cash spending, the Bengals are currently 15th in the NFL at $202.5 million going into the 2025 season. They have just over $38 million in cap space available.

It's going to cost a lot of money and future cap space in order for the Bengals to keep this quartet in Cincinnati beyond 2025. There are certainly risks in roster building investing that much into only a handful of players, but Burrow, Chase, Higgins and Hendrickson have proven themselves to be difference-makers.

Higgins is arguably the best No. 2 receiver in the NFL. He had back-to-back seasons with 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022. The 26-year-old finished last season with 73 receptions, 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns in 12 games.