Report: Bengals expected to franchise tag WR Tee Higgins

The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to use their franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins this offseason, The Athletic reported Tuesday.

Higgins, who turned 25 last month, is due to become a free agent in March. Tags must be issued by March 5.

The tag would give the two sides more time to hammer out a long-term deal. Otherwise, he would play the 2024 season for a projected salary of $20.7 million.

Higgins caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games (11 starts) in 2023 after posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns in 2021-22.

Cincinnati's 2020 second-round pick (33rd overall) has 257 receptions for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns in 58 career games (53 starts).

His initial contract was a four-year, $8.68 million deal he signed in July 2020.