The Cincinnati Bengals designated a franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second consecutive year. The 26-year-old wideout will be under contract with Cincinnati for one season at $26.2 million for 2025 once he agrees and signs the team.
Last year, Higgins earned $21.8 million on the tag, making the former Clemson receiver the 18th-highest-paid receiver by average annual salary.
A 2020 second-round pick, Higgins played in just 12 games in 2024 but caught 73 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The 6-foot-4, 219-pound wideout has missed 10 games combined over the last two seasons.
In receiving the franchise tag from the Bengals, Higgins posted on social media with a one-word message.
tag.
— Tee Higgins⁵ (@teehiggins5) March 3, 2025
Over five seasons with Cincinnati, Higgins has caught 330 receptions for 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns.
Cincinnati promoted Dan Pitcher to offensive coordinator in 2024 after four seasons spent as the team's quarterbacks coach. Pitcher's play-calling led to Joe Burrow having career-highs in passing yards and touchdown passes.
The Bengals led the NFL in passing yards per game (272.9) and were sixth with 27.8 points scored per game.
Despite the strong offensive performance, Cincinnati did not qualify for the playoffs. A 4-8 start to the season couldn't be salvaged despite the franchise closing out the year with five straight wins.
In securing Higgins for the 2025 season with the tag, the Bengals have $43.8 million in cap space available next year, per Spotrac.
