Cincinnati, Ohio – The deadline for franchise tagging has come and gone, leaving only two players secured for the upcoming season: Bengals’ wide receiver Tee Higgins and Chiefs’ guard Trey Smith. Both players were tagged for the 2025 season by their respective teams with the intention of negotiating long-term contracts before the July 15 deadline at 4 p.m. ET. Failing to secure a deal would mean the players are set to become unrestricted free agents in March 2026. Higgins and Smith, ranked first and third on a list of top 100 free agents by PFT, are crucial pieces for their teams’ future success.
Higgins, having been franchise tagged in 2024 as well, is set to earn $26.2 million on the franchise tender for the 2025 season. The talented receiver showcased his skills by catching 73 passes for 911 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns in just 12 games last season for the Bengals. Smith, on the other hand, a sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft, has been a consistent starter for the Chiefs since entering the league. With 67 starts out of 68 possible regular-season games, Smith established himself as a first-time Pro Bowler in 2024, solidifying his importance to the team’s offensive line.
Both Cincinnati and Kansas City have expressed interest in extending the contracts of Higgins and Smith, recognizing their value to the team’s success. The franchises will now have a limited time to negotiate and secure long-term deals to keep the talented players in their respective programs for years to come. As the deadline approaches, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on the negotiations between the teams and the players, eager to see where these crucial pieces for Cincinnati and Kansas City will end up.
In a league where talented players are highly sought after, securing key pieces like Higgins and Smith through franchise tags provides teams with a temporary solution while working towards a long-term deal. The pressure is now on the Bengals and Chiefs to finalize agreements that will benefit both the players and the organizations moving forward. As the deadline looms, the fate of these standout players hangs in the balance, with their potential impact on the upcoming season weighing heavily on the minds of fans and team officials alike.