ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that team personnel that he spoke with think Cincinnati Bengals impending free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins' market is $30 million per year, with most of them thinking he'll hit or clear the over on that mark. The lowest estimate is somewhere slightly above DeVonta Smith's three-year, $75 million deal. Higgins should do very well for himself in free agency because of his status as a No.1-caliber wideout and the fact that plenty of NFL teams are desperate for pass-catching help this offseason. If the Bengals wanted to, they could put the franchise tag on Higgins for less than $30 million in 2025, but the expectation is that they'll either sign him to an extension or let him walk. The 26-year-old has played in only 12 regular-season games in each of the last two years due to injuries, but when healthy, he's been productive. Higgins had a career-high 10 TDs and 911 receiving yards in 2024.

The top priority for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason is signing All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase to a long-term contract extension that is expected to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in league history. Despite that, director of player personnel Duke Tobin said the team needs to find the "right number" to re-sign impending free-agent wideout Tee Higgins as well. Most folks have assumed that Higgins will leave in free agency, and even Tobin admitted "it's going to be hard" for the Bengals to bring Higgins back. Plenty of teams are in need of a receiver of Higgins' caliber, so he's likely to receive plenty of lucrative offers that will exceed what the Bengals are able to offer. It will all depend on if the 26-year-old is willing to accept a "hometown" discount to stay with Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow. Leaving Cincy would give Higgins a higher fantasy ceiling, depending on where he ends up.