The Cincinnati Bengals used their $26.2 million franchise tag on Tee Higgins on Monday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's the second consecutive year the Bengals have franchise tagged Higgins and he'll now stay in Cincinnati for at least one more season.

The Los Angeles Chargers won’t be able to get their hands on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins this offseason, barring a shocking tag-and-trade scenario after he received a second franchise tag.

Following the blockbuster trade that sent Deebo Samuel from the San Francisco 49ers to the Washington Commanders on Saturday, many believe the wide receiver trade market won't stop there. Tee Higgins is the top target available in free agency,

New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams is one of the key fallback plans for the Los Angeles Chargers now that they missed on Tee Higgins. Adams has been linked to the Chargers already as he reportedly seeks a West Coast return.

The Los Angeles Chargers have the potential to be one of free agency’s biggest spenders given the wealth of free cap space and needs across the roster. But while fans might hope for the likes of a big splash such as Tee Higgins or Davante Adams,

With Tee Higgins staying in Cincinnati, the Los Angeles Chargers are looking for alternatives at wide receiver.

While the NFL free agent market doesn't appear as star-studded this season compared to years past, one potential game-changing wide receiver could be available.

Deebo Samuel has been traded to the Washington Commanders. A move that Chargers fans should be thankful they avoided.

The Vikings didn't tag QB Sam Darnold, which means the 2018 top-three pick may have a chance to land a huge payday on the open market.

Davante Adams and Will Fries headline an offensive free agent class that the Chargers should spend heavily in when free agency opens next week.

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on Tee Higgins for a second time, as the team hopes to work out a long-term deal with the star wide receiver. If the Bengals can’t reach a contract with the 26-year-old Higgins before July 15, his salary for the 2025 season would be $26.2 million.

“You always stay responsible with your spending on the salary cap,” Hortiz said then. “In the end, if you get reckless, you pay the piper eventually. So we’re going to be responsible, we’re going to be clinical in our approach, and there’s going to be a plan to it. That’s how we’re going to roll.”