Cincinnati Bengals Make Massive Decision On Superstar WR Tee Higgins Ahead Of Free Agency

Tee Higgins (Photo via Joseph Maiorana/Imagn Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals have made a decision on Tee Higgins amid rumors of a potential exit.

The wide receiver’s future was thought to be up in the air for the better part of the last year, but it appears he will be remaining in Cincy for at least one more season as James Rapien of Sports Illustrated is reporting that the team is planning to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on him.

“The Bengals plan on placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on Tee Higgins for a second-straight season, league sources have confirmed,” Rapien wrote on Monday.

The tag window officially opens this Tuesday and will close in two weeks’ time.

Higgins’ camp is said to have expected this, but they also expect the Bengals to sign him to a lucrative, long-term deal ahead of next season. The wideout was the only NFL player tagged last year who wasn’t signed to a multi-year contract.

“This year feels different,” Rapien added. “The Bengals plan to sign the star receiver to a long-term deal, sources say.”

Tee Higgins Made An Interesting Change In December

Tee Higgins (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Tee Higgins switched agents late last year, moving on from David Mulugheta to sign with Alliance Sports’ Rocky Arceneaux and Caitlin Aoki. The change is expected to keep him around for the foreseeable future.

Higgins is keen on returning to the team next season, and the feeling is one shared by the Bengals organization. Joe Burrow is also pushing for the WR to stay.

While Cincinnati is likely to sign Higgins to a long-term deal, it’s unlikely to happen before March 4, in which case they will use the non-exclusive franchise tag on him for the second consecutive year.

The player would earn $26.17 million on the tag, but he can expect to make a lot more on an extension.