The Cincinnati Bengals officially designated wide receiver Tee Higgins as their franchise tag player on Monday, allowing the Bengals to continue negotiations for a long-term deal for the player, who was set to hit free agency this off-season. Bengals coach Zac Taylor said in a news release: “Tee has done an outstanding job for us since we drafted him in 2020. I’m glad that he’ll continue to be a big part of our offense and our team.”

The move also keeps the wide receiver under contractual control for at least one more season, and can continue negotiations until July 15. Higgins, 25, could play under the 1-year, $21.8-million terms of the franchise tag for wide receivers in 2024 if they fail to reach an agreement. NFL teams can apply the franchise tag or transition tag to players until March 5.

Higgins joined the Bengals in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, totaling 257 catches for 3,684 yards and 24 scores through his first four seasons. Higgins totaled a career-low 42 catches for 656 yards and five scores in 12 games last season due to injury.

The news of the decision to franchise tag Higgins comes after the NFL announced last week that the salary cap for each team will be $255.4 million in 2024, $30 million more than it was in 2023.

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