Pro Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow has made it crystal clear how he wants the Cincinnati Bengals to approach this offseason. Do whatever it takes to ensure that wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and wide receiver Tee Higgins are Bengals long term.

The Cincinnati Bengals have floated the idea of franchise tagging Tee Higgins. While that may seem like a stop-gap to appease Joe Burrow, it could be out of selfishness for the Bengals front office. Burrow has been clear about what he wants the front office to do when it comes to retaining both Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins.

The Cincinnati Bengals ended 2024 with a 9-8 record and missed the playoffs - but their offseason could set them up for the 2025 campaign

The most prominent example right now is ESPN’s Aaron Schatz, whose set of bold offseason projections has the Buffalo Bills blowing the Bengals “out of the water” with a Higgins trade offer:

Some within the NFL may feel the Cincinnati Bengals have zero chance of figuring out contracts for wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson. But others, such as Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Cris Carter, believe otherwise.

Well, it's looking like the Cincinnati Bengals are going to slap a franchise tag on Tee Higgins for the second straight year, which basically eliminates any cha

“Obviously, we want to build something here in Cinci, but it’s not in my hands right now,” Higgins said, via Joe Danneman of FOX19 Cincinnati. “So, I’ve got to do what I need to do. If that’s go to another team, then that’s what happens.”

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has said that he would go to surprising lengths in order to tie down wide receiver Tee Higgins to the franchise.

The franchise tag window opens on Tuesday, February 18 and lasts until Tuesday, March 4. That means the Bengals will have two weeks to make a decision on Higgins. They used the tag on the star wide receiver early in the process last season. We'll see if they go that route again this year.

Cincinnati will likely bring back their star receiver, but with all of their needs the team should think trade this offseason.

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The Cincinnati Bengals endured yet another season without any playoff football, and their 2025 campaign might be similar if their offseason goes a certain way.