Another year the Bengals failed to get a long-term deal done with Higgins, placing the franchise tag on the star wide receiver for the second consecutive year. The Bengals have continued to wait until the last minute to sign their players to long-term extensions, paying them way more money since the market has been set.

The easiest way to get an asking or target price is with multiple NFL teams vying for a player's services. If a player's market is soft, lowering the asking price will likely become a necessity. Agents and NFL teams may have already gotten a sense of the 2025 free agent market.

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.

Higgins would be the No. 1 wideout on most NFL ... Cincinnati may use the franchise tag on him to keep him off the open market. Darnold's journey from No. 3 overall pick in 2018 to Pro Bowl ...

The one-word post on X was tantamount to Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins admitting defeat Monday ... trade route with the 27-year-old passer. Darnold is now free to pursue something perhaps ...

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, meanwhile, seemed like a straightforward candidate for the tag, so that he and the Vikings could buy more time in trying to work out a longer-term deal.