San Francisco 49ers Make Big Move as Bengals Place Huge Franchise Tag on WR Tee Higgins for Second Year in a Row
The NFL offseason is kicking into high gear, and two marquee franchises are making waves with blockbuster decisions that could shape the 2025 season. The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly applied the franchise tag to star defensive end Nick Bosa, securing their defensive cornerstone for another year. At the same time, the Cincinnati Bengals have doubled down on wide receiver Tee Higgins, placing a massive franchise tag on him for the second consecutive season, locking him in with a staggering $26.2 million salary.
For the 49ers, tagging Bosa is a strategic move to keep their defensive line among the league’s elite. The 27-year-old pass rusher, a former Defensive Player of the Year, has been a wrecking ball for opposing offenses and a key reason San Francisco remains a perennial Super Bowl contender. With his contract nearing its end, the 49ers aren’t taking any chances. If no long-term deal is signed by the July 15 deadline, Bosa will play under a fully guaranteed $27.8 million tag—a hefty sum that reflects his value as one of the NFL’s most dominante defenders.
Meanwhile, the Bengals’ choice to slap another huge franchise tag on Tee Higgins ensures their offensive firepower stays intact, but it also highlights the ongoing saga surrounding his future. Higgins, who hauled in 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 despite injury setbacks, will earn $26.2 million in 2025 unless a long-term extension is finalized. The move keeps him alongside quarterback Joe Burrow and wideout Ja’Marr Chase, forming one of the league’s most dangerous trios, but it postpones a resolution to his contract demands as Cincinnati juggles looming extensions for Chase and defensive end Trey Hendrickson.
Bengals GM Duke Tobin stood firm on the decision at the NFL Scouting Combine, stating, “Tee’s a cornerstone of what we do. We’re not letting that slip away.” Yet, the repeated use of the franchise tag—now totaling over $50 million across two years—raises questions about whether the Bengals can afford to keep their star receiver long-term or if a trade could be in play.
These bold moves spotlight the contrasting priorities of two contenders. The 49ers are reinforcing a defense that has carried them to multiple NFC Championship games, banking on Bosa to lead them back to the Super Bowl. The Bengals, meanwhile, are clinging to their offensive identity, hoping Higgins’ presence pushes them over the hump after years of near-misses.
As the offseason rolls on, all eyes will be on San Francisco and Cincinnati. Will Bosa sign a record-breaking extension to stay with the 49ers? Can the Bengals finally lock down Higgins or will his future lie elsewhere? The stakes are sky-high, and the NFL world is buzzing with anticipation.
