Tee Higgins is widely considered one of, if not the best, player currently slated to become a free agent this offseason.

However, as it turns out, the former Clemson star might not end up hitting the open market after all.

The Cincinnati Bengals are focused on signing Higgins to a long-term deal, according to NFL Media on Monday.

The Bengals hope they don’t have to use a franchise tag on Higgins again, but if they can’t agree to a deal with the star wideout prior to the 4 p.m. March 4 deadline, Cincinnati will likely tag Higgins for the second consecutive year, per NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.

As NFL Media’s Bobby Kownack noted, “placing the tag on Higgins once again would ensure his services for another season, barring a subsequent trade, but it wouldn’t preclude Cincinnati from working out a deal to replace it. Should they end up using the tag, the Bengals would have until July 15 to work out an extension with Higgins before it becomes permanent.”

The Bengals are indeed expected to use the franchise tag on Higgins, according to SI.com’s James Rapien:

He would be the top free agent if he were to make it to free agency.

That isn’t expected to happen. The Bengals will tag Higgins by the March 4 deadline.

Their “why” certainly feels different this time around.

Last year the Bengals tagged Higgins and there wasn’t much dialogue about a long-term contract. He was the only player that was tagged by his team last year that didn’t sign a multi-year extension.

This year feels different. The Bengals plan to sign the star receiver to a long-term deal, sources say.

Higgins played under the franchise tag in 2024, as he and the Bengals weren’t able to reach a long-term deal last offseason. He dealt with injuries this past season but was still highly productive when on the field, posting 73 catches for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games. His 10 touchdown catches tied for sixth most in the NFL.

After making over $21 million in 2024, Higgins would make around $26 million if the Bengals tag him again.

Higgins has amassed 330 catches for 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns over his first five NFL seasons (2020-24) after being selected by the Bengals in the second round (33rd overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.