4 days agoAccording to Ian Rapoport of the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals have made "significant progress on massive contract extensions" regarding wide receivers
Ja'Marr Chase and
Tee Higgins. Per Rapoport, both players could have new contracts over the coming days. Quarterback
Joe Burrow has advocated not splitting up the star wideouts, and he could get his wish granted in short order. Cincinnati has already franchise-tagged Higgins twice, so their only option is to pay, trade, or let him walk. More so, they've put off signing Chase to the bank-breaking deal he's deservedly owed as the price tag continues to rise after his stellar triple-crown winning 2024. It'd be an excellent move for the Bengals. However, the trick lies in not financially handicapping themselves for years to come. Rapoport notes there is still work to be done, but the ramifications of this situation only stand to benefit the team for the time being.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
2 weeks agoThe Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that multiple NFL teams have contacted the Cincinnati Bengals about the availability of wide receiver
Tee Higgins after the Bengals placed the franchise tag on him on Monday, according to sources. Those teams have been told that Higgins remains unavailable as the Bengals work on giving him a long-term deal. Had the 26-year-old been allowed to reach the free-agent market next week, he would have been the top pass-catcher on the open market. But instead, it looks like the Bengals are going to keep him, at least for the 2025 season. If Cincy doesn't change their stance if contract talks break down,
Chris Godwin would be the best free-agent wideout this offseason. Despite playing in only 12 regular-season games in 2024 due to injury, Higgins was the WR17 in half-PPR scoring with 73 receptions, 911 yards and 10 touchdowns. He'll be a strong WR2 if he stays in Cincy.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
2 weeks agoCincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins announced on Monday that the team placed the franchise tag on him for the second straight year. This was the expectation all along as the Bengals keep Higgins from hitting the open market as they look to lock him into a long-term contract extension before the deadline on July 15. If Higgins and the Bengals cannot work out an extension, he'd make over $26 million in 2025. However, placing the franchise tag on the 26-year-old pass-catcher won't prevent the Bengals from trading Higgins, although their preference is to sign him to a long-term deal. Higgins' fantasy value for the 2025 season would most likely be higher if he went elsewhere, but he proved last year that he can still be a strong WR2 for fantasy managers despite being on the same team as All-Pro receiver
Ja'Marr Chase. Despite missing five games due to injuries in 2024, Higgins finished as the WR17 in half-PPR scoring with a 73-911-10 line on 109 targets.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
3 weeks agoThe New England Patriots are not expected to pursue pending free-agent Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Tee Higgins. The Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag on Higgins in hopes of reaching a long-term extension, but the Patriots are out on Higgins either way, according to Chad Graff of The Athletic. Instead, New England is focused on building its offensive and defensive lines, something new head coach Mike Vrabel valued highly during his tenure with the Tennessee Titans. New England needs to get better at the wide receiver position, but it sounds like the team is not looking to spend big on a wideout this offseason.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic
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