With Tee Higgins staying in Cincinnati, the Los Angeles Chargers are looking for alternatives at wide receiver.

The Los Angeles Chargers won’t be able to get their hands on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins this offseason, barring a shocking tag-and-trade scenario after he received a second franchise tag.

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While the NFL free agent market doesn't appear as star-studded this season compared to years past, one potential game-changing wide receiver could be available.

Davante Adams and Will Fries headline an offensive free agent class that the Chargers should spend heavily in when free agency opens next week.

Deebo Samuel has been traded to the Washington Commanders. A move that Chargers fans should be thankful they avoided.

The Vikings didn't tag QB Sam Darnold, which means the 2018 top-three pick may have a chance to land a huge payday on the open market.

The Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on Tee Higgins for a second time, as the team hopes to work out a long-term deal with the star wide receiver. If the Bengals can’t reach a contract with the 26-year-old Higgins before July 15, his salary for the 2025 season would be $26.2 million.

“You always stay responsible with your spending on the salary cap,” Hortiz said then. “In the end, if you get reckless, you pay the piper eventually. So we’re going to be responsible, we’re going to be clinical in our approach, and there’s going to be a plan to it. That’s how we’re going to roll.”

Tee Higgins announced on Monday that the Cincinnati Bengals have placed the franchise tag on him. Higgins' announcement confirms prior reports that the Bengals intended to place the tag on the veteran wide receiver for a second consecutive season. Higgins made the announcement simply by writing "tag" on social media.