NFL Insider Pessimistic About Tee Higgins' Future With Bengals: 'I'll Believe It When I See It'

The 26-year-old is set to become a free agent next month. The Bengals have until March 4 to use the franchise tag on him.

Dec 28, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrates following the overtime win against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

CINCINNATI — The Bengals plan on using the franchise tag on Tee Higgins if they're unable to sign him to a long-term extension by the deadline on March 4.

There's been plenty of optimism about the possibility of the Bengals signing Higgins to a long-term deal that would keep him in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future.

Phil Perry from NBC Sports Boston took a different approach, based on what he's heard about the 26-year-old wide receiver.

“Just talking to people around the league and these are not people in Cincinnati, but the gist is, 'I’ll believe it when I see it,'" Perry said.

It wouldn't be surprising to see more reports like this come out over the next week—especially with the NFL world gathering in Indianapolis for the 2025 NFL Combine.

The Bengals have a plan to keep Higgins, but he would be the top free agent in this year's class and plenty of teams across the NFL would love to pry him away from Cincinnati.

Will it happen?

Not unless the Bengals completely change course and tear up the plan that Joe Burrow has referred to multiple times over the past few months.

The Patriots, Titans, Steelers, Jaguars and Chargers are five of the many teams that would be interested in Higgins if he became a free agent next month.

If the Bengals do use the tag on him for a second-straight season, he would be set to make $26.18 million on a one-year contract and would be eligible to sign a long-term extension until July 15.

The Bengals have the cap and cash to pay their stars this offseason. Check out a complete breakdown of their cap situation here. Watch the clip of Perry below:

REPORT:

Per: @PhilAPerry

Tee Higgins to Cincinnati NOT SO FAST

“Here’s why I’m hearing on Tee Higgins. Just talking to people around the league, these are not people in Cincinnati, but the gist is, I’ll believe it when I see it.”

👀🔥 pic.twitter.com/I0zaKUUa6L

— Savage (@SavageSports_) February 22, 2025

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