The Cincinnati Bengals are facing a major dilemma: how to fairly compensate their star players while managing their salary cap.
One of the biggest questions for the Bengals remains: What are they going to do with Tee Higgins? The team has placed the franchise tag on Higgins for the second year in a row, preventing him from hitting free agency—something he is reportedly “not happy about”—leaving his long-term future in Cincinnati uncertain.
Bengals Put Themselves and Higgins in This Spot
According to an NFL analyst, the Bengals have set a “crazy” asking price for their talented wideout, making a potential trade even more complicated. Additionally, reports indicate that Higgins’ contract expectations are “very high” for any team that acquires him.
A look at where Bengals stand with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson including a very high asking price for teams calling to trade for the latter two.
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Since being drafted in 2020, Higgins has recorded 34 career touchdowns and has been a key part of Cincinnati’s high-powered offense alongside Ja’Marr Chase.
However, with the team facing salary cap constraints and needing to prioritize Chase’s future contract extension, parting ways with Higgins might be their only option.
Where Do the Bengals Go From Here?
Last season, Higgins recorded 911 yards and 10 touchdowns on 73 receptions in just 12 games. Former Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson called it “disrespectful” that the team would franchise tag him for a second straight year, while Chase posted cryptic memes on social media that seemed to hint at deeper frustrations with team management.
The Bengals’ front office has struggled with these contract issues for years, showing little progress in locking up their key players. Last year, it was Chase and Higgins in the spotlight; now, defensive end Trey Hendrickson has been added to the mix.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, led by Joe Burrow, continued internal contract disputes are far from ideal. With Cincinnati trying to move past early-season struggles and get back to the big stage, their handling of these situations could have long-term consequences.
There is a strong chance that some of these star players could hold out of training camp if a trade or contract extension isn’t reached. This latest setback only reinforces the idea that things could get worse before they improve.
While Higgins has expressed interest in securing a long-term deal, reports indicate that “nothing is imminent” regarding an extension for the 6-foot-4 wideout. If no team is willing to meet Cincinnati’s trade demands, there is a strong possibility that Higgins could hold out during training camp—and possibly beyond.
What’s the Asking Price on Hendrickson?
“Too high.”
Last season’s sack leader, Trey Hendrickson, was granted permission to seek a trade a few weeks ago, and teams are now trying to gauge the price to add him to their defensive line.
With just one year remaining on his contract, the 30-year-old defensive end is coming off a dominant 2024 season in which he led the league with 17.5 sacks and earned both Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors.
Reports indicate that the Bengals are demanding significant draft capital in return—”a first-round pick and additional assets”—making it difficult for other NFL teams to meet their steep asking price.
Hendrickson is the latest cap casualty in Cincinnati as the team navigates its salary constraints. However, if a team in need of a dominant pass rusher or a receiver-needy contender gets desperate, the Bengals might just get their “crazy” asking price for both Hendrickson and Higgins.