As per certain sources, the Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly planning to implement the non-exclusive franchise tag on their wide receiver, Tee Higgins. This move will mark the second consecutive year for the Bengals employing this particular strategy.
The non-exclusive franchise tag allows player freedom to negotiate contract terms with other National Football League (NFL) teams while giving Cincinnati the right to match any offer. The terms of a non-exclusive tag also stipulate that should Bengals fail to match the offer and lose Higgins to another team, the offending team will owe Cincinnati two first-round draft picks as compensation.
The Bengals’ decision to use a non-exclusive franchise tag on Higgins two years in a row illustrates their intention to retain the talented receiver, while still providing him options to explore financial terms that may be beneficial to him elsewhere in the NFL.
Higgins, the Bengals’ second-round draft pick in 2020, has shown considerable talent on the field. With 67 receptions, 908 yards, and 6 touchdowns in the 2021 season, he has proven himself to be a valuable asset for the team.
Details surrounding Cincinnati’s formal offer to Higgins and strategies going forward for the Bengals’ offense remain undisclosed. However, if Higgins remains with the team, it will undeniably prove advantageous both for their offensive lineup and for the wider team’s future prospects.
Last modified: February 19, 2025
