Cincinnati Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin sat in a mostly empty ballroom at the Westin in downtown Indianapolis recently and had a familiar conversation. Yet again, the Bengals' de facto GM was discussing wide receiver Tee Higgins' long-term future with the team.

March 3 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, the wide receiver announced Monday. Higgins, who also received the designation last year, is set to make $26.2 million under the terms of the tag in 2025-26. The Bengals and Higgins can continue to negotiate for a long-term pact until July 15.