Rapien - Bengals Must Tag Tee Higgins

[SouthernFan]

(02-17-2025, 04:59 PM)QueenCity Wrote: Rapien just said on twitter the Bengals plan on tagging him. They did also say they plan on trying to extend him long term.

He’s also saying they plan to use the non-exclusive tag from what I read. Are they hoping to pick up two first round picks from a team willing to overpay? 

[Luvnit2]

(02-17-2025, 05:52 PM)SouthernFan Wrote: He’s also saying they plan to use the non-exclusive tag from what I read. Are they hoping to pick up two first round picks from a team willing to overpay? 

It is the mot common tag. Here are the 3 type of tags. Once tagged, teams has until July 15th to sign player and they can trade them as well prior to July 15.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39580128/what-nfl-franchise-tag-how-does-work

NON-EXCLUSIVE TAG: This tag allows the player to sign an offer sheet with another team. The original team has the right to match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks in compensation if the player leaves. This is the most common type of tag.


EXCLUSIVE TAG: This tag completely binds the player to his team. His agent is prohibited from seeking an offer sheet.


TRANSITION TAG: This tag works like the nonexclusive franchise tag, except it only provides the original team the right to match the other team's offer. If the original team decides not to offer a matching bid, it gets no compensation when the player leaves.

Once a player is tagged, the two sides have until July 15 to sign a long-term contract or, by NFL rule, the player will play on the one-year deal (or hold out).

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(02-17-2025, 04:59 PM)QueenCity Wrote: Rapien just said on twitter the Bengals plan on tagging him. They did also say they plan on trying to extend him long term.

Which is exactly the right play. For several reasons. 

1) Tagging him almost certainly keeps him here. Be it under the tag (hopefully not), or on an extension. 

2) It buys them time to work out a deal while simultaneously suppressing Tee's market. Is someone gonna make a serious offer that will cost them 2 1sts if we don't match it? Unlikely. Worst case, he plays for $26 mil, which is below what most were saying his fair market value was. Best case, he signs an extension for less than he would on the openarket because we are now his only market. There is no open market.

3) He is our 4th best player after Burrow, Chase, and Hendrickson. Letting your best players walk (Bates, Reader) is not usially a recipe for success. 


4) Keeping him makes Burrow and Chase happy. And makes both of their lives MUCH easier. And us a better football team. 

5) Has anyone taken a gander at our receiving corps beyond Chase atm? Iosivas made strides last year but still ranked 98th out of 98 ranked WRs at PFF. And that is our BEST option. After that? Burton, the always injured Chuck Sizzle and I. Williams. With Sample, Gandy, and McLachlan at TE. Why fo you think Burrow is pounding the table for Tee and Gesicki so hard? Our depth is terrible.

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/andrei-iosivas/109811#gradesWidget

6) Yeah, we could sign a FA WR or draftca,WR high, but neither will be Higgins level good. And I'd rather use that FA $$ and picks tonipgrade the trenches OR nab a true 1stcround talent who drops if they are there (Walker, Warren, Starks, etc.). I don't want to have to take a WR RD1.

7) Keeping him sends a message to Burrow, Chase, Trey, and all the other FA's that we are serious about contending. 

8) Sure, an extension would be better. But the early tag makes a statement. Maybe it helps with Hendrickson and Burrow's restructure. If I was Joe, I would not do that restructure until Tee, Trey, & Chase were taken care of.

9)  If we can get those done prior to FA, well have cash to play with. And can make cuts as needed as we sign upgrades, but not before. I wanna know exactly how much space we have/can create at the FA bell, so we can hit the ground running. I don't wanna,be talking to Tee, Trey, Chase, & Burrow when I want to be talking to Smith, Jenkins, Sweat, Williams, Becton, Ford, Tart, Campbell, Freis, Hilton, Hill, Gesicki, Daniels, and company. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(02-17-2025, 05:52 PM)SouthernFan Wrote: He’s also saying they plan to use the non-exclusive tag from what I read. Are they hoping to pick up two first round picks from a team willing to overpay? 

No. They are hoping to kill his market so no one bids because no one will want to lose 2 firsts if we don't match it. 

If we are bidding against ourselves, then the final deal is more likely to be for less. This allows Tee to negotiate with other teams (sort of). We won't have to pay $30 mil because no one will offer it. 

[Essex Johnson]

(02-15-2025, 01:13 AM)pulses Wrote: Burrow doesn't need to restucture to get these deals one. Go watch the Joe Goodberry video on youtube and he breaks it down. Burrow already had his contract set up in advance for these signings.....Burrow made just 30 million this year.

here is the problem, tell me how we are better than this year with these deals ?, we need to spend a good amount in other areas also, if Burrow restructures can't we use it also in areas of greater need. 

[Essex Johnson]

(02-17-2025, 06:22 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Which is exactly the right play. For several reasons. 

1) Tagging him almost certainly keeps him here. Be it under the tag (hopefully not), or on an extension. 

2) It buys them time to work out a deal while simultaneously suppressing Tee's market. Is someone gonna make a serious offer that will cost them 2 1sts if we don't match it? Unlikely. Worst case, he plays for $26 mil, which is below what most were saying his fair market value was. Best case, he signs an extension for less than he would on the openarket because we are now his only market. There is no open market.

3) He is our 4th best player after Burrow, Chase, and Hendrickson. Letting your best players walk (Bates, Reader) is not usially a recipe for success. 


4) Keeping him makes Burrow and Chase happy. And makes both of their lives MUCH easier. And us a better football team. 

5) Has anyone taken a gander at our receiving corps beyond Chase atm? Iosivas made strides last year but still ranked 98th out of 98 ranked WRs at PFF. And that is our BEST option. After that? Burton, the always injured Chuck Sizzle and I. Williams. With Sample, Gandy, and McLachlan at TE. Why fo you think Burrow is pounding the table for Tee and Gesicki so hard? Our depth is terrible.

https://www.pff.com/nfl/players/andrei-iosivas/109811#gradesWidget

6) Yeah, we could sign a FA WR or draftca,WR high, but neither will be Higgins level good. And I'd rather use that FA $$ and picks tonipgrade the trenches OR nab a true 1stcround talent who drops if they are there (Walker, Warren, Starks, etc.). I don't want to have to take a WR RD1.

7) Keeping him sends a message to Burrow, Chase, Trey, and all the other FA's that we are serious about contending. 

8) Sure, an extension would be better. But the early tag makes a statement. Maybe it helps with Hendrickson and Burrow's restructure. If I was Joe, I would not do that restructure until Tee, Trey, & Chase were taken care of.

9)  If we can get those done prior to FA, well have cash to play with. And can make cuts as needed as we sign upgrades, but not before. I wanna know exactly how much space we have/can create at the FA bell, so we can hit the ground running. I don't wanna,be talking to Tee, Trey, Chase, & Burrow when I want to be talking to Smith, Jenkins, Sweat, Williams, Becton, Ford, Tart, Campbell, Freis, Hilton, Hill, Gesicki, Daniels, and company. 

My opinion 3, I did not have a problem with Bates going for the $$ it was costing us, he actually had regressed his 2 last years with us and Reader had major injuries and really did not do that much for what the Lions paid him.. Also the problem with putting a ton of $$ to keep that offense band together, is we had the band this year and played at a peak level and missed playoffs, so maybe we need to break the band up some and put more $$ in defense

[J24]

(02-17-2025, 07:17 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: My opinion 3, I did not have a problem with Bates going for the $$ it was costing us, he actually had regressed his 2 last years with us and Reader had major injuries and really did not do that much for what the Lions paid him.. Also the problem with putting a ton of $$ to keep that offense band together, is we had the band this year and played at a peak level and missed playoffs, so maybe we need to break the band up some and put more $$ in defense

1.) No, Bates did not regress in his last two seasons here. In 2021, he lead the team in solo tackles and was regarded as the best player in the entire playoffs by PFF that season. In 2022, he lead the Bengals in interceptions with 4. He was also a top 20 S amongst PFF and top 10 in run defense as a safety according to PFF.

2a.) The Bengals can afford to pay both Tee and defensive help.

2b.) Who are you paying on defense that would give you similar value to Tee?

[NUGDUKWE]

(02-17-2025, 07:17 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: My opinion 3, I did not have a problem with Bates going for the $$ it was costing us, he actually had regressed his 2 last years with us and Reader had major injuries and really did not do that much for what the Lions paid him.. Also the problem with putting a ton of $$ to keep that offense band together, is we had the band this year and played at a peak level and missed playoffs, so maybe we need to break the band up some and put more $$ in defense

I think Tees value is beyond other positions because we need multiple good WRs with the offense we run. He is a known commodity by the coaches and Burrow and he knows the offense. We need to add to the OL and defense and we should be able to do all of those things in the draft and free agency.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-17-2025, 06:08 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: It is the mot common tag. Here are the 3 type of tags. Once tagged, teams has until July 15th to sign player and they can trade them as well prior to July 15.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39580128/what-nfl-franchise-tag-how-does-work

NON-EXCLUSIVE TAG: This tag allows the player to sign an offer sheet with another team. The original team has the right to match the offer or receive two first-round draft picks in compensation if the player leaves. This is the most common type of tag.


EXCLUSIVE TAG: This tag completely binds the player to his team. His agent is prohibited from seeking an offer sheet.


TRANSITION TAG: This tag works like the nonexclusive franchise tag, except it only provides the original team the right to match the other team's offer. If the original team decides not to offer a matching bid, it gets no compensation when the player leaves.

Once a player is tagged, the two sides have until July 15 to sign a long-term contract or, by NFL rule, the player will play on the one-year deal (or hold out).

Two first round draft picks for Tee? Sign me up. I thought we might get maybe 1 first and a 3rd or something at most.

[George Cantstandya]

(02-17-2025, 08:19 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Two first round draft picks for Tee? Sign me up. I thought we might get maybe 1 first and a 3rd or something at most.

If given the non exclusive tag again, I seriously doubt any team is going to give an offer to Higgins that the Bengals would not match and give up those two first round picks.  That is why the non exclusive tag is the most frequently used tag.  The team would end up paying not only a premium price but also give up two 1st round picks. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-17-2025, 08:27 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: I seriously doubt any team is going to give an offer to Higgins that the Bengals would not match and give up those two first round picks.  That is why the non exclusive tag is the most frequently used tag.  The team would end up paying not only a premium price but also give up two 1st round picks.  

Makes sense. Sounds like we are going to extend him then after giving him the non exclusive tag.

I am fine with it as long as we can get everything else needed done. Need to add a Guard or two in FA and a couple DL to free up the Draft 
while still being able to give Ja'Marr the biggest WR contract ever and Trey a decent couple year extension. Mike G, BJ Hill and Hilton should
also be in our thoughts.

[SunsetBengal]

(02-17-2025, 08:27 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: I seriously doubt any team is going to give an offer to Higgins that the Bengals would not match and give up those two first round picks.  That is why the non exclusive tag is the most frequently used tag.  The team would end up paying not only a premium price but also give up two 1st round picks. 

What you said is completely accurate, however it does give the Bengals an opportunity to allow other teams to bid and discover Tee's TRUE market value.

[George Cantstandya]

(02-17-2025, 08:36 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: What you said is completely accurate, however it does give the Bengals an opportunity to allow other teams to bid and discover Tee's TRUE market value.

Or for the Browns to pay him a premium and give up two 1st rounders.  They seem to like setting their team back several years every other year or so.  

Personally I think I'd be okay if that happened. An extra first round pick for the next two years would be useful. 

But if non exclusive tagged again I don't know if there will be any bidding by other teams because they risk not being matched by the Bengals then also costing them 2 1st round picks  I don't think any teams bid last year or in another high profile case for Lamar Jackson when he was non exclusive a few years ago. The Raiders and Panthers inquired about Jackson but never made an offer as far as I recall. 

[SunsetBengal]

(02-17-2025, 08:45 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: Or for the Browns to pay him a premium and give up two 1st rounders.  They seem to like setting their team back several years every other year or so.  

Personally I think I'd be okay if that happened. An extra first round pick for the next two years would be useful. 

But if non exclusive tagged again I don't know if there will be any bidding by other teams because they risk not being matched by the Bengals then also costing them 2 1st round picks  I don't think any teams bid last year or in another high profile case for Lamar Jackson when he was non exclusive a few years ago. 

Well, that's the thing, if they want Higgins on their team this year the price is 2 picks plus whatever contract they promise him. If they are good with a high contract and skittish over the two 1st round picks, there is some negotiating room, as the Bengals can accept whatever they agree to. And if it doesn't work out that a team wants to do the tag and trade, perhaps it's a signal to Higgins to sign for a more moderate deal?

[*Synric*]

Washington and Kansas City are probably the only two teams in position that can pull off the two first round picks for Tee but it's very unlikely to happen.

I wouldn't be surprised if Washington (pick #29), Tennessee (pick #35), New England (pick #38) call with multi-pick offers. Tee Higgins might be the Best Offensive player this entire off-season cycle.


Edit: Forgot about Ashton Jeanty.

[George Cantstandya]

(02-17-2025, 08:55 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Well, that's the thing, if they want Higgins on their team this year the price is 2 picks plus whatever contract they promise him. If they are good with a high contract and skittish over the two 1st round picks, there is some negotiating room, as the Bengals can accept whatever they agree to. And if it doesn't work out that a team wants to do the tag and trade, perhaps it's a signal to Higgins to sign for a more moderate deal?

There isn't any negotiation between teams at that phase.  Higgins if tagged is due $26.16 million.  Any team that makes him an offer has to be willing to also lose two 1st round picks just to even make the offer. Sure a team can say, "He agreed to our $30 million offer what will you do?"  At that point Bengals will just say thanks for the 2 first round picks. IMO no team is going to be willing to risk that.  I can't recall from memory any time a player was signed off the non exclusive tag by another team or even given a serous offer.  The risk and potential price is just too high.  

Now a tag and trade I can see.  

[SunsetBengal]

(02-17-2025, 09:42 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: There isn't any negotiation between teams at that phase.  Higgins if tagged is due $26.16 million.  Any team that makes him an offer has to be willing to also lose two 1st round picks just to even make the offer. Sure a team can say we are offering him $30 million what will you do?  At that point Bengals will just say thanks for the 2 first round picks. IMO no team is going to be willing to risk that.  I can't recall from memory any time a player was signed off the non exclusive tag by another team or even given a serous offer.  The risk and potential price is just too high.  

Now a tag and trade I can see.  

Yes, tag and trade is what I intended to mean by negotiation. Teams are pretty much free to talk to each other anytime they like, as far as I know.

[George Cantstandya]

(02-17-2025, 09:44 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yes, tag and trade is what I intended to mean by negotiation. Teams are pretty much free to talk to each other anytime they like, as far as I know.

Sorry I misunderstood.

[puddycat]

Two firsts is a very high price, but it's a much better price if you are a playoff team looking to get over the hump.  A few teams come to mind:

Buffalo: Always looking for another WR1, but they are in cap hell and really to need to spend on defense.  However, their pick this year is 30 and the most recent was Kincaid at 25.
Rams: Affordable if they move on from Cooper Kupp, very few round 1 picks in recent years but pick 23 average in last 2 years.
Washington:  Assuming they aren't in the Miles Garrett sweepstakes (or they don't happen), they will have a QB under a rookie contract for 4 more years.  Higgins is the kind of payer that would complement McLaurin and has the toughness they look for.  After picking at 2 for Jayden Daniels, they are picking at 29 this year..  I expect them to have another winning season next year although they are in the same division as Philli, so a pick in the 20s.
Chargers: Lots of cap space.  Need a a true #1 and RZ target. They took Joe Alt at 6 and pick 22 this year.  How confident are they in a division with the Chiefs and a rising Denver team to commit next year's pick?
Steelers: Lots of cap space for team looking to add to Pickens as a head-case #1.  It would have a bonus of taking a WR away from the Bengals. OTOH, the Steelers love their draft picks. No one knows more than Bengals fans that the Steelers rarely have losing records; their pick this year is 21 and last year was 20.

[SunsetBengal]

(02-17-2025, 09:58 PM)puddycat Wrote: Two firsts is a very high price, but it's a much better price if you are a playoff team looking to get over the hump.  A few teams come to mind:

Buffalo: Always looking for another WR1, but they are in cap hell and really to need to spend on defense.  However, their pick this year is 30 and the most recent was Kincaid at 25.
Rams: Affordable if they move on from Cooper Kupp, very few round 1 picks in recent years but pick 23 average in last 2 years.
Washington:  Assuming they aren't in the Miles Garrett sweepstakes (or they don't happen), they will have a QB under a rookie contract for 4 more years.  Higgins is the kind of payer that would complement McLaurin and has the toughness they look for.  After picking at 2 for Jayden Daniels, they are picking at 29 this year..  I expect them to have another winning season next year although they are in the same division as Philli, so a pick in the 20s.
Chargers: Lots of cap space.  Need a a true #1 and RZ target. They took Joe Alt at 6 and pick 22 this year.  How confident are they in a division with the Chiefs and a rising Denver team to commit next year's pick?
Steelers: Lots of cap space for team looking to add to Pickens as a head-case #1.  It would have a bonus of taking a WR away from the Bengals. OTOH, the Steelers love their draft picks. No one knows more than Bengals fans that the Steelers rarely have losing records; their pick this year is 21 and last year was 20.

It's nice to get excited about the possibilities of what the Bengals could net for Tee, but keep in mind the fact that they also know about his injury history.