Cincinnati Bengals

It seemed like Tee Higgins would be with the Cincinnati Bengals for at least the 2025 season when the wide receiver himself broke news Monday that the AFC North team placed the franchise tag on him.

However, that might not be the case.

"There are people across the league who believe that this could wind up being a tag-and-trade," ESPN's Adam Schefter reported (4:30 mark). "Now we don't know whether that will happen. But I can tell you that there are people around the league who believe a tag-and-trade is possible here with Tee Higgins despite the fact that the Bengals have said their intent is to sign him to a long-term deal."

Schefter mentioned that Cincinnati has publicly expressed its desire to keep Higgins beyond the 2025 campaign, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the team hopes Monday's franchise tag will be "a place holder for a long-term deal."

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin also told reporters last week "you know how I feel. I want him on my football team. I'll do what I can to get Tee Higgins. The preference is a long-term deal, and they're working to get it done."

Tobin also said the team wants to make fellow wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league. Chase is entering the final season of his contract, as is pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson.

While there is no questioning Higgins' talent, signing him to a long-term deal on top of a contract that could make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league would be quite a financial commitment to two players at the same position.

Considering Cincinnati's defense is largely what held it back from making the playoffs in 2024, trading Higgins could allow the front office to address multiple other positions while still keeping enough money available to pay Chase and Hendrickson.

Placing the franchise tag on the Clemson product when they did at least gives the Bengals more options, as they can now negotiate a long-term deal or even trade him without having to worry about losing him for nothing in free agency.

Trading him would go against the public statements that have been made, although perhaps the team will change its tune if a potential suitor comes along with a significant offer.

Is it cryptic? Is it just joking around? Is it a sign of more moves to come? 

You be the judge of the latest Joe Burrow meme that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase posted online after the AFC North team applied the franchise tag to fellow pass-catcher Tee Higgins on Monday:

It was Higgins himself who broke news that he will remain with the Bengals through at least the 2025 season with the franchise tag. That marks the second straight year Cincinnati placed the tag on the talented receiver, although it could be a temporary move to negotiate a long-term deal.

After all, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported "the Bengals have been clear about their priorities—lock in Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson."

Higgins isn't the only one with an uncertain future on the team, as Chase and Hendrickson are each entering the final year of their current contracts. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin told reporters last week the team wants to make Chase the league's highest-paid non-quarterback.

Making that work alongside a new long-term contract for Higgins might be tricky, especially if the front office also plans on paying to keep Hendrickson beyond the 2025 campaign.

But the Bengals are going to be under the spotlight this offseason one way or another, which means there could be breaking news at any moment.

And that could also mean more memes from Chase.

The wide receiver position is fully under the spotlight for the Cincinnati Bengals at the NFL Scouting Combine, and director of player personnel Duke Tobin opened up about both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

Tobin told reporters Tuesday the plan is to make Chase the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, adding "we're there, let's get it done. … Signed contract, that's what needs to happen."

As for Tee Higgins, Tobin said, "you know how I feel. I want him on my football team. I’ll do what I can to get Tee Higgins. The preference is a long-term deal, and they’re working to get it done."

Higgins, meanwhile, might not have agreed with the statements Tuesday based on his reaction:

It's unclear if the wideout is calling "cap" on Tobin or possibly Zac Taylor's similar comments, but the cryptic tweet likely isn't a great sign for the team's outlook.

Giving new contracts to both Chase and Higgins would be quite a lot of money at one position, especially if the former becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.

But Tobin explained that Cincinnati is low on dead money and has the room to keep them both even after signing quarterback Joe Burrow to a five-year, $275 million contract extension ahead of the 2023 campaign. 

"We want to reward them and add to the football team," Tobin said, while also revealing the team wants to keep pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson on a long-term deal. "It's a tall task. We think we're up to it."

For his part, Burrow said earlier this month that he would be open to restructuring his contract if he meant keeping both Chase and Higgins as his top two targets. 

He has also seemingly pressured the front office to keep the team's core together:

Higgins is scheduled for free agency this offseason after he played the 2024 campaign on the franchise tag. As for Chase and Hendrickson, the 2025 campaign will be the final one on their contracts.

Chase becoming the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL would mean passing up his college teammate in Justin Jefferson. The Minnesota Vikings made their No. 1 wide receiver the top-paid non-quarterback based on average-annual value ahead of the 2024 season with a four-year, $140 million extension.

Burrow, Chase and Jefferson all played together at LSU, and there would surely be some friendly trash talk between them if such a contract became a reality for the Bengals.

How Cincinnati handles this offseason will likely set the tone for the team in the coming years. It can remain one of the best offenses in the league by keeping Burrow, Chase and Higgins together, but that will require quite a financial commitment.

There's uncertainty surrounding the Cincinnati Bengals potentially agreeing to contract extensions with wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as well as defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

"I'm hearing that they are going to try [to sign all three]," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on Thursday's SportsCenter. "It's uncertain whether they can pull it off, and a lot of people around the league are skeptical. But they got Trey Hendrickson, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins. They're going to try to pull all that off if they can."

Fowler previously reported on Monday that Cincinnati will "attempt" to hand long-term contracts to all three players during the 2025 offseason.

The skepticism from around the league could stem from Cincinnati's failure to reach extension agreements with all three players during the 2024 offseason.

Negotiations with Higgins were "all but non-existent" entering the 2024 season, per Fowler. Hendrickson briefly requested a trade in April 2024 after he didn't receive an extension.

Chase reportedly discussed an extension with the Bengals heading into the 2024 season, but a deal never materialized.

All three players are coming off stellar years, which could incentivize Cincinnati to keep them around. Higgins recorded 911 yards and a career-high 10 scores while Chase paced the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown catches (17).

Hendrickson also led the league with 17.5 sacks.

The Bengals are reportedly targeting long-term contracts for each player, but there doesn't seem to be a unanimous belief that they'll be able to get all three done.

The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly already decided to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins this offseason, and it sounds like they will be on the hook for an even bigger payday for fellow wideout Ja'Marr Chase.

Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported that Chase "will command at least $40 million per season" for his impending contract extension, so the Bengals are now "staring at the league's first $40 million wide receiver."

The 2025 season is the final year of Chase's current contract, and he's set to make $21.8 million on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal. He held out for the majority of training camp prior to the 2024 campaign over his desire to receive a contract extension back then, but the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

Schultz reported that Chase "was very, very close to getting a deal done before last season began," and multiple sources said he "was even willing to sit out the team's first couple of games." The 24-year-old ultimately played the full season and put forth the best year of his young career, winning the triple crown after leading the league with 127 receptions, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns.

Cincinnati will have to reward Chase in a big way if it wants to keep him happy. Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson, who was Chase's college teammate at LSU, set the mark last year when he signed a contract extension with an average annual value of $35 million, so it's pretty much guaranteed that Chase will be hoping to substantially exceed that figure.

Meanwhile, retaining Higgins will also prove costly for the Bengals. If he plays under the franchise tag for the second straight year in 2025, he would garner a guaranteed salary of $26.3 million, per Over The Cap. Schultz noted that league sources believed Higgins "could have gotten upwards of $30 million on the open market," so Cincinnati would have to make another major financial commitment if it wants to keep him in the fold long term.

The impending deals for the Bengals' receiver duo would be on top of the $55 million yearly salary for star quarterback Joe Burrow. Cincinnati's expenses on the offensive side of the ball could create an untenable situation as the team tries to build a roster capable of contending for a Super Bowl title.

It always helps in negotiations to have other options, and those options may be "everywhere" for wide receiver Tee Higgins.

The Cincinnati Bengals playmaker took to Instagram on Thursday and posted a cryptic image that says "priorities are rare, options are everywhere" with the caption "5 just out here working."

Higgins played the 2024 season on the franchise tag and is scheduled for unrestricted free agency this offseason. Players such as quarterback Joe Burrow have been publicly vocal about wanting the team to bring the receiver back, but the Bengals also have to account for Ja'Marr Chase's contract situation as well.

Chase is arguably the best wide receiver in the league and is entering the final year of his deal in 2025. He is in line for quite the extension as well, which would mean committing a significant amount of money to a single position if the front office also brings back Higgins.

There is no questioning the Clemson product's talent, as he posted back-to-back seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022. He was well on his way to reaching that mark in 2024 as well before injuries limited him to 12 games.

Higgins still posted 73 catches for 911 yards and a career-best 10 touchdowns in those 12 games and took full advantage of the spacing created by the double teams and bracket coverage that Chases consistently draws.

There is chemistry in place between Burrow and Higgins, he has a proven track record in Cincinnati, and he is just 26 years old. That formula suggests the Bengals would be wise to re-sign him this offseason.

But it also suggests he will have other options if they don't.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow praised the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles' handling of the salary cap amid his ongoing drive to keep some of his contract-seeking teammates aboard, including wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

"The Eagles are paying everybody," Burrow said on the Pardon My Take podcast (h/t ESPN's Ben Baby). "That seems like the way. Whatever they're doing."

The Eagles locked up an offensive core of quarterback Jalen Hurts, wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, guard Landon Dickerson and tackle Jordan Mailata through 2028, per Spotrac. Brown's deal is through 2029.

Meanwhile, in Cincinnati, Chase is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and Higgins is an impending free agent. Trey Hendrickson, the NFL's 2024 sack leader, is entering the final season of his deal. And tight end Mike Gesicki, who excelled on a one-year deal in town (65 catches, 665 yards), is a free agent too.

Burrow said on FS1's Breakfast Ball (h/t Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic) on Feb. 6 that he would be willing to restructure his deal to give Cincinnati more cap space to get something done.

"I do. I do," Burrow said when asked if he had confidence in the front office to keep a core together.

"We have the cap space to get it done. I want to make it happen. Everybody involved: Trey, Tee, Ja'Marr, Mike G, we all want to stay together. When you have guys that are motivated like that, I think you can get those things done."

Burrow has been taken care of with a five-year, $275 million contract set to kick in next year. Now he's hoping his team can take a page out of the Eagles' book to get something done.

The Cincinnati Bengals reportedly could be on the verge of losing one of their top defensive players this offseason.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday that Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt, who is entering the final year of his contract, requested to be traded.

Pratt signed a three-year extension with Cincinnati in 2023 and is set to make $5.6 million in 2025 after leading the team with 143 total tackles this past season. He also added six passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Rapoport noted that Pratt was close to former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who was fired after the 2024 season. Also, Cincinnati has been "devoting resources to keeping" its offensive core intact, which would likely make it difficult to keep Pratt and other star defensive players in the fold.

Pratt has enough upside to attract potential suitors on the trade market. Rapoport pointed out that he was a locker room leader, wore the green dot as the on-field defensive play-caller, and has two years of playoff experience.

Sports Illustrated Bengals reporter Jay Morrison explained that Cincinnati faced a similar situation last offseason when star running back Joe Mixon was entering the final year of his contract. It appeared that Mixon was likely to be cut by the team before the Houston Texans secured a trade for him.

The Bengals would be wise to try to recoup assets for Pratt and avoid losing him for nothing, as the 28-year-old is a rising star who could be a difference-maker in the right situation.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't want to lose his top two targets to free agency, and he is reportedly doing what he can to convince the team to keep both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

"He is putting the hammer on them," an NFL executive said in a Monday story by Mike Sando of The Athletic.

Higgins is scheduled for free agency this offseason after playing the 2024 campaign on the franchise tag, while Chase has one year remaining on his deal. While Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension in 2023, he has publicly said he is willing to restructure his deal to help keep the wide receivers in Cincinnati.

"I'm of the thought that when he decided not to make an Eli Manning situation with Cincinnati in the draft, that he had talks beforehand about how they were going to proceed with player acquisition," another executive said, per Sando. "And now it is to the point where they have to hold up their end of the bargain."

Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer famously demanded a trade from Cincinnati during his career, but one executive said the situation is different with Burrow.

"Carson got hurt in a playoff game, but Joe got them to the Super Bowl," the exec said. "That carries a lot of weight going forward. The issue is going to be, will they spend money elsewhere, at a level necessary to keep guys? I think that this time they might. I'm not saying they will have a wholesale change in their philosophy. Joe has the leverage to have them do something that they might not have wanted to do."

Committing to Burrow in 2023 the way the Bengals did and then not spending to keep his top two receivers would undercut the team-building process for a franchise looking to take the next step as a contender.

Cincinnati made the Super Bowl during the 2021 campaign and reached the AFC Championship Game the following year with the star quarterback leading the way. Even its down seasons in 2023 and 2024 saw it finish with a winning record of 9-8 in large part because of the brilliance of Burrow, Chase and the passing game.

Chase in particular was unstoppable this past season and led the NFL in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown catches (17). Higgins had back-to-back seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022 and set a career-high with touchdown catches (10) in 2024.

Both receivers and Burrow are in their 20s, so it is not difficult to envision the trio leading the Bengals for years to come.

But first the front office has to commit to paying the necessary contracts to keep the pass-catchers in town.