The Pittsburgh Steelers have been dealt a massive blow to their 2025 free agency plans—thanks to their AFC North rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals.
It’s no secret that the Pittsburgh Steelers were in desperate need of an elite wide receiver opposite George Pickens heading into 2025 free agency, and Bengals WR Tee Higgins was predicted to be a highly sought-after free agent for the Steel City.
Despite playing in just 12 games in the 2024 season, Higgins produced 911 receiving yards and 10 TDs, including an impressive Week 17 performance that saw the Bengals wide receiver haul in 11 passes for 131 yards and three receiving TDs.
However, Cincinnati seemed to pull the rug out from under the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason plans, as it has been reported that the Bengals plan to franchise tag Higgins.
Not much of a surprise. Allows them to either continue negotiating with him or tag and trade at a later date.
Also controls that Higgins will not go to Pittsburgh or Baltimore. This makes total sense for Cincinnati. https://t.co/hgldQ62Lr7
— Nick Farabaugh (@FarabaughFB) February 17, 2025
Ultimately, this will prevent the Pittsburgh Steelers from acquiring Higgins, as the odds of the Bengals trading away their star receiver to a bitter rival are astronomically low—adding another chapter to the Black and Gold book of ‘what if’ wide receiver acquisitions.