Higgins played last season on the $21.8 million wide receiver tag, and would be set to earn around $26.1 million this time around if he signs the tag. He has been seeking a long-t

Beginning Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, NFL franchises have until the same time on March 4 to place tags on an eligible player . Rapien's new report says the Bengals will do just that, keeping Higgins in Cincinnati for at least one more season.

The Bengals are focused on signing Tee Higgins to a long-term deal, something Joe Burrow has publicly campaigned. But the team "likely" will use the franchise tag on the wide receiver for a second consecutive offseason if it can't get a contract agreement by the March 4 deadline,