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The Cincinnati Bengals are considering using their franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins — a move that might look like they’re trying to keep Joe Burrow happy, but could backfire spectacularly if recent reports prove accurate.
Burrow hasn’t been subtle about wanting to keep both Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati’s offense. While the franchise tag could help retain Higgins in the short term, there’s a concerning twist to this story.
The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. reports the Bengals might be planning a tag-and-trade scenario for Higgins. That approach would directly contradict Burrow’s publicly stated wishes and risk alienating their franchise quarterback, who was playing at an MVP level before his injury.
It’s a delicate situation in Cincinnati.
The Bengals already find themselves playing catch-up in an increasingly competitive AFC North. Both the Ravens and Bills have emerged as more serious threats to Kansas City’s conference dominance, while Cincinnati has struggled to maintain their previous momentum.
Burrow’s leadership through a challenging 2024 season — where defensive struggles kept the team out of the playoffs — demonstrated his importance to the franchise. Despite frustrating losses, he maintained his composure publicly while showing flashes of a harder edge behind the scenes.
That composure could be tested if the front office moves forward with a tag-and-trade plan. While Burrow isn’t known for causing locker room drama, alienating your franchise quarterback is a dangerous game — especially when he’s proven he can lead the team to championship contention.
Cincinnati hasn’t been a serious AFC contender since 2022. Between Burrow’s injury-shortened 2023 campaign and their defensive collapse in 2024, they’re already fighting an uphill battle to reclaim their position among the conference elite.
Trading Higgins might save some cap space, but it could cost the Bengals something far more valuable — their quarterback’s trust. In today’s NFL, that’s a price few teams can afford to pay.
The Bengals have the financial flexibility to keep their core offensive weapons together. Using the franchise tag as a bridge to a long-term deal with Higgins would show Burrow they’re committed to building around him, not dismantling what works.
Otherwise, Cincinnati risks becoming an afterthought in both the AFC and their own division — something that seemed unthinkable during their recent Super Bowl run.
