Report: Higgins not expected to sign extension before tag deadline

The Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Tee Higgins are not expected to agree to terms on a contract extension ahead of Monday's deadline for franchise-tagged players, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Cincinnati placed a non-exclusive tag on the 25-year-old wideout in February. Higgins requested a trade a few weeks later but said he expected to remain with the Bengals in 2024.

The Clemson product ultimately signed the tender in June and will earn $21.8 million fully guaranteed this season. He's set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025.

Nine players, including Higgins, received the franchise tag this offseason. However, the Bengals wideout is the only player still without an extension ahead of Monday's deadline to work out a long-term solution. Josh Hines-Allen, Brian Burns, and Michael Pittman Jr. were among the group awarded new deals over the past few months.

Higgins was reportedly seeking a deal similar to the three-year, $70-million extension the Indianapolis Colts awarded Pittman in one of the high-profile signings by receivers since the end of the 2023 season. Justin Jefferson became the highest-paid non-QB after landing a four-year, $140-million extension.

A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jaylen Waddle are among other pass-catchers to cash in on lucrative pacts amid Higgins' quest for an extension.

Higgins will play out his fifth and potentially final campaign in Cincinnati this season. The former second-round pick has hauled in 257 catches, 3,684 yards, and 24 touchdowns in 58 games with the Bengals.