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The Cincinnati Bengals are trying to work out a long-term contract with wide receiver Tee Higgins but are willing to use a franchise tag again for the 2025 season, according to multiple media reports on Monday.

The window to place a franchise tag is Feb. 18 to March 4. Higgins, 26, played out his one year as the team’s designated franchise player, which paid him $21.8 million in salary. The franchise tag in 2025 would guarantee $26.18 million — the average of the top five salaries for wide receivers last season.

Reports on Monday said that the Bengals, if necessary, will buy more time to negotiate a contract extension by placing a non-exclusive tag on Higgins. He will be able to negotiate with other clubs, but a team that signs him is required to compensate Cincinnati with two first-round draft picks, a steep price.

Once the Bengals tag Higgins, they would have until July 15 to work out a contract extension or the one-year deal becomes permanent.

Cincinnati also is weighing giving an extension to star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, 24, to keep the tandem together, as well as considering the future of defensive end Trey Hendrickson, 30, the NFL sack leader (17.5) last season. Both Chase and Hendrickson are four-time Pro Bowl selections and were first-team All-Pro in 2024.

The Bengals selected Higgins in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He started nine of the 12 games he played last season and totaled 73 receptions for 911 yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns. He also played only 12 games (11 starts) in 2023 because of hamstring issues. For his career, Higgins has 330 receptions for 4,595 yards and 34 TDs in 70 games (62 starts).

–Field Level Media