NFL Free Agency Tracker, News & More: Bengals Tagging WR Tee Higgins
The Cincinnati Bengals have taken action. As the NFL's franchise tag deadline approaches, the team has tagged wide receiver Tee Higgins for the second consecutive year.
This move secures Higgins for 2025 at a significant cost of $26.18 million, ensuring one of Joe Burrow's key targets stays in Cincinnati – for now. However, with long-term contract discussions stalled and the Bengals offseason consisting of facing important financial choices, Higgins' future is still unclear.
Meanwhile, other changes are also taking place throughout the league. The Philadelphia Eagles have released veteran cornerback Darius Slay, indicating possible changes in their secondary. Again in Cincinnati, there are rumors that defensive end Sam Hubbard might be traded or released as the Bengals continue to tinker with their roster.
With important deadlines approaching and major decisions being made, let's tap into our NFL free agency tracker with the latest updates on Tee Higgins, the Bengals and other significant NFL free agency news.
NFL Free Agency Tracker & Franchise Tag Tracker: Bengals Tag Tee Higgins
As we stated above to begin this NFL free agency tracker, the Cincinnati Bengals have opted to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins once more, securing his place on the roster for the 2025 season – at least for the time being.
This decision locks in a fully guaranteed salary of $26.18 million for Higgins, unless a long-term contract is finalized before the July 15 deadline. This is the second year in a row that Tee Higgins has received the tag, indicating that contract talks have not yet produced a resolution.
Although the Bengals are keen on keeping him in Cincinnati, they also have financial commitments to extend Ja'Marr Chase and address their defensive needs. The countdown has begun.
What Is A Franchise Tag?
The franchise tag is a mechanism in the NFL that helps teams keep important players for one more year instead of letting them go to free agency. There are three types:
- Non-Exclusive Franchise Tag – This is the most common type. The player gets a one-year salary that is either the average of the top five salaries for their position over the last five years or 120% of their last salary, whichever is higher. They can talk to other teams, but their original team can match any offer or get two first-round picks if they leave.
- Exclusive Franchise Tag – This is similar to the non-exclusive tag, but the player cannot negotiate with other teams. Their salary is based on the current top five salaries for their position or 120% of their last salary. This tag is usually for top players, like quarterbacks.
- Transition Tag – This offers a one-year salary based on the top 10 salaries for the player’s position. The player can negotiate with other teams, and their original team can match any offer but won’t get anything if they leave.
Each team can only use one franchise tag each year, making it an important choice for managing their roster, in addition to yearly NFL free agency trackers.
NFL Free Agency News: Darius Slay Released By Eagles
Elsewhere on the NFL free agency tracker, the Philadelphia Eagles are releasing veteran cornerback Darius Slay after five seasons with the team. This decision, classified as a post-June 1 cut, will free up $4.3 million in salary cap space.
Slay, a six-time Pro Bowler, was instrumental in the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX title run. However, the emergence of promising young players like Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean has made the 34-year-old cornerback surplus to requirements.
Although Slay had aspirations to remain in Philadelphia, he is now set to enter free agency. Teams such as the Steelers, Lions, Bills and Commanders may look to acquire him to enhance their defensive backfields.
Bengals Also Looking To Trade/Cut Sam Hubbard
Capping off this version of our NFL free agency tracker, the Cincinnati Bengals are also considering the possibility of trading or releasing veteran defensive end Sam Hubbard. Should they proceed with a trade, the team could clear $9.5 million in cap space, which makes this option appealing.
At 29 years old, Hubbard had a challenging 2024 season, recording only 41 tackles and two sacks, a significant drop from his performance in prior years. While he remains popular among fans, his diminishing pass-rush effectiveness and salary issues cast doubt on his future with the team.
Potential teams interested in acquiring him include the Patriots, Packers and Seahawks, all of which are seeking improvements in their pass-rushing capabilities. If the Bengals decide to release him, they might even explore the possibility of re-signing him at a lower salary if possible.
Who's Due Next For The Franchise Tag?
As the March 4 franchise tag deadline draws near, teams are evaluating their strategies for keeping key players. Aside from the Bengals tagging WR Tee Higgins, the Kansas City Chiefs have placed a tag on OL Trey Smith. The Cowboys are likely to tag DT Osa Odighizuwa if a long-term agreement is not finalized.
Other potential candidates to be in a future NFL free agency tracker include Vikings QB Sam Darnold, who had a strong performance in 2024, and Dolphins safety Jevon Holland, although Miami's salary cap situation adds complexity. While the franchise tag provides a short-term fix, teams must consider whether the significant cost associated with each player is justified.
Player News
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reports that Raiders co-owner “Tom Brady likes the idea of rookie quarterbacks sitting and soaking it all in” during the player’s rookie season.
Tafur also notes that after examining Geno Smith’s recent contract extension through 2027, “the Raiders have a clear out after 2026.” Smith’s team-friendly deal keeps the Raiders in play for a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick, though fantasy managers may be forced to wait a year before drafting said player.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Derek Carr is “believed” to have suffered “a significant” injury in his throwing shoulder during the 2024 season.
The Saints listed the right-armed Carr with a left-hand injury late in Weeks 15-18 but made no mention of a throwing-shoulder issue. There seems to be more to this story. Carr has not yet decided whether he will undergo surgery but, regardless, it seems clear that the Saints must select a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft at this point.
NBC Sports’ ProFootballTalk reports that “Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is facing a lawsuit for at least $1 million after an incident in the parking lot of a car dealership December.
The individual suing Sneed reportedly alleges that either “Sneed or Sneed’s personal assistant shot at him while” parked at a car dealership. The individual’s lawyer also claims that there is video evidence to support the allegation. Other details are currently unknown. Sneed also rehabbing a quad injury suffered in-season last year.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports that “the Saints have been preparing for the draft knowing about” Derek Carr’s recently disclosed shoulder injury.
Though news of the injury broke only today, it appears as though the Saints’ have known “about this recent shoulder issue” for some time. The Saints brain trust evidently sprung a leak, though, and now the rest of the QB-needy teams know that leapfrogging the Saints’ No. 9 overall pick may be required to secure a high-end prospect. Carr’s 2025 availability remains unknown.
Broncos signed S Sam Franklin Jr. to a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
The Broncos added former Saints interim head coach and long-time special team coach Darren Rizzi to their staff this offseason. He holds both the special teams coach and assistant head coach roles. Beat reporter Chris Tomasson reports that Rizzi is said to have “pushed” for Franklin’s signing this offseason, after watching Franklin dominate NFC South special teams play as a member of the Panthers. Franklin has totaled at least seven special teams tackles in each of the last four seasons.
Free agent EDGE Chris Rumph II worked out for the Broncos on Friday.
The former Chargers’ fourth-round pick has been unable to remain on-field over the last two seasons, suffering a season-ending foot injury in November 2023, followed by an undisclosed season-ending injury in August 2024. Rumph has flashed pass-rushing and tackling traits when available, posting a career-best 10.3 percent pass-rush win rate in nine 2023 games. He has 26 quarterback pressures, three sacks and 19 tackles to his name.