REPORTS: The Tennessee Titans Could Pursue Cincinnati Bengals Top-Tier In Free Agency Next Offseason
The Tennessee Titans were heavily linked to a potential acquisition of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins during the early part of the offseason. The reasons were clear-cut: Higgins, a native of Oak Ridge and former recipient of Tennessee’s “Mr. Football” award, was set to enter free agency with a strong existing rapport with new Titans head coach Brian Callahan.
Callahan had served as Higgins’ offensive coordinator in Cincinnati from 2020 to 2023, spanning his entire NFL career since leaving Clemson. Under Callahan’s guidance, Higgins amassed impressive stats with 257 receptions, 3,684 yards, and 24 touchdowns, including two seasons surpassing 1,000 receiving yards (in 2021 and 2022).
The Titans were in dire need of bolstering their wide receiver corps, especially to support quarterback Will Levis and enhance their passing game.
Although the Bengals had recently secured quarterback Joe Burrow with a lucrative $275 million extension, and were expected to negotiate another significant deal for their top receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, they surprised many by applying the franchise tag to Higgins in late February. Nonetheless, rumors persisted about the Titans potentially trading for Higgins due to his reported dissatisfaction with the tag. These speculations ended a few weeks later when Titans general manager Ran Carthon signed Calvin Ridley to a substantial four-year, $92 million contract in free agency.
Higgins reluctantly signed his one-year franchise tag in June. The deadline on Monday (7/15) passed without an agreement between Higgins and the Bengals on a long-term extension, setting the stage for him to enter free agency next offseason.
Looking ahead, the Titans are anticipated to resume their search for wide receiver talent in the upcoming offseason. Starting receiver DeAndre Hopkins is entering the final year of his contract at age 32, while slot receiver Tyler Boyd, a former Bengal who will join Callahan and the Titans in 2024, is on a one-year deal.
Currently, Ridley stands as the lone standout receiver under contract through 2025, aside from Treylon Burks. However, relying on a single proven wideout may not suffice for Callahan’s offense. Should Higgins hit free agency, he could serve as an ideal replacement for Hopkins, given his similar profile as a tall, boundary-focused playmaker.
The financial commitment at receiver is a pivotal consideration for Carthon and Callahan. While Ridley’s $23 million annual salary became manageable with Hopkins’ $18 million cap hit in 2024 (representing 7% of the Titans’ cap), accommodating another hefty contract in 2025, where Ridley’s cap figure rises to $28 million (approximately 10.8% of the cap), presents a more challenging prospect than this past offseason.
The Bengals retain the option to franchise tag Higgins for a second consecutive year, ensuring further twists in this saga. Whether Higgins ultimately reaches free agency and the Titans opt not to retain Hopkins could lead to Higgins becoming a prominent figure for the Titans, solidifying his ties to Tennessee as a prospective “Mr. Tennessee” in his professional career.
