NASHVILLE — The Cincinnati Bengals have reportedly decided on Friday to franchise tag Tee Higgins, which makes it more difficult for him to reunite with Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan. If the Bengals and the 25-year-old Oak Ridge, TN native fail to agree on a long-term contract by March 5, the player is expected to receive $21.8 million for the 2024 season. Higgins is one of the top wide receivers on several free agency rankings due to his impressive performance in the four seasons he played with the Bengals with Callahan as offensive coordinator. The move would keep Higgins off the open market when free agency officially begins at the start of the new league year on March 13. Higgins stated he was open to playing for the Titans with Callahan during Super Bowl week

It would be good,” Higgins said on The Sick Podcast on radio row at the Super Bowl. “Going back home to family and then being able to play for a coach I’ve already been under. It would be ideal.” Let’s consider a scenario where Higgins receives a non-exclusive offer, enabling him to negotiate with other teams while allowing the Bengals to match any offer he receives. If Higgins signs an offer sheet with another team and the Bengals refuse to match it, they would be entitled to receive two first-round picks from the team that signs him. Higgins for two first-round picks is a lot to ask, considering the Titans are rebuilding with a new coaching staff and general manager Ran Carthon in his second season.