Tee Higgins Issues Major 1-Word Announcement on Bengals Contract Plan

The Cincinnati Bengals are placing the franchise tag on receiver Tee Higgins on Monday, one day ahead of the deadline for doing so, as the two sides ideally continue to work on a long-term extension for him.

There is no surprise here.

There is, however, Higgins' 1-word reaction to the announcement via social media.

"Tag,'' Higgins wrote simply.

This is the second year in a row the Bengals elected to place the franchise tag on Higgins, the standout receiver who is seen - by QB Joe Burrow, anyway - as being invaluable to the Cincy offense.

For now, this can be considered a "placeholder'' as if the two sides do not move, Higgins gets $26.2 million guaranteed for the 2025 season.

Recently, Bengals coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin both spoke with media at the NFL Combine and discussed the upcoming offseason.

Tobin affirmed the franchise's commitment to keeping Higgins on the roster for the long term.

"I think Tee Higgins is a fantastic football player and I want him on my football team," Tobin said. "Whenever I'm in charge of a football team, I want Tee Higgins. So I'm gonna do what I can to get Tee Higgins."

Those sentiments lifted the mood of Bengals fans, but a simple emoji soured all the happy feelings Tuesday night. Higgins took to his X account, posting a cap emoji, implying that someone is lying or "capping."

While not posted in direct response to any message, Higgins' cryptic post seems to obviously be about his contract situation.

Higgins has not shied away from his wish for a bigger contract this offseason, with $30 million per year now the going rate for a superstar-caliber player.

The Bengals have a little over $53 million in projected salary cap space heading into next season, leaving them some decent room to start with as they work through this matter. ... work that now is accented with the franchise tag factor.