The Bengals are in the middle of making difficult rosters moves following a second straight non-playoff season. The team recently released veteran offensive lineman Alex Cappa, saw defensive end Sam Hubbard announce his retirement, and re-signed defensive lineman B.J. Hill and tight end Mike Gesicki to new deals.

It’s possible that he may be a little confused by the Bengals using the franchise tag on Higgins when they’ve stated their hope of signing him to a long-term deal. A franchise tag can be a temporary placeholder before a long-term deal, but it can also just be a one-year contract.

The Cincinnati Bengals re-signed wide receiver Tee Higgins with a franchise tag, maintaining the team alongside Ja’Marr Chase and quarterback Joe Burr

For the second straight season, Bengals use the franchise tag on Higgins, while they hope to ink a long-term pact with both he and Chase.

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second straight year. Higgins announced the news Monday by posting on X, "tag." The Bengals later announced the move, stating they did so "with the intent of continuing to work toward a long-term deal in Cincinnati" with Higgins.

While the Cincinnati Bengals were making a key re-signing and NFL free agency's legal tampering window went wild, the contract sagas for Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins received an update. Said update came from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport,

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport: "Ja'Marr Chase is in an unbelievable place. It's gonna sting for the Bengals, but I really think they get it done."

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) dance after Chase scored a touchdown in the 4th quarter to beat the Dallas Cowboys in Monday Night Football at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,

NFL insider Ian Rapoport gave a positive update on the Bengals’ contract talks with Chase and Higgins, saying he bel