Bengals Face Tough Decisions on Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, and Trey Hendrickson Contracts

Cincinnati weighs franchise tags and extensions as it aims to retain key players while managing cap space and roster needs.

The Bengals are expected to use the non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second consecutive year, guaranteeing him $26.18 million if no long-term deal is reached by March 4.
Cincinnati is also pursuing contract extensions for star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson, both entering the final year of their contracts in 2025.
Joe Burrow has publicly advocated for the team to retain its core players, including Higgins, Chase, and Hendrickson, to maintain offensive firepower and competitiveness.
The team has $46.3 million in cap space but faces challenges balancing the costs of retaining top talent while addressing a defense ranked 25th in the league last season.
Speculation surrounds Higgins' future as other teams, including the Patriots and Jaguars, reportedly express interest, but the Bengals appear committed to keeping him with the franchise tag or a potential extension.