Bengals Great Chad Johnson Says Tee Higgins Franchise Tag Is 'Disrespectful'

Former Cincinnati Bengals player, Chad Johnson, walks on the field during warmups before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium. | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to bring back one of the NFL's top wide receiver tandems in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in 2025. The way the franchise has gone about it, however, has rubbed its players the wrong way.

Higgins was given the franchise tag for the second consecutive year on Monday, which means he may be another year from landing the long-term deal he desires. The team has signaled that it wants to sign him to a deal, but if they don't come to an agreement, he'll make $26.2 million this upcoming season.