By tagging Higgins, Cincinnati ensured that he’ll be under contract for next season. Until July 15, de facto general manager Duke Tobin will have the opportunity to negotiate a long-term extension. However, tagging Higgins before Tuesday’s deadline should raise an eyebrow from the fanbase.

Most of the critics, it seems, just can't fathom how the Bengals might find the cash for Higgins, plus major extensions for Ja'Marr Chase and Trey Hendrickson. Naturally, this has led to speculation that the Bengals would still consider a tag-and-trade scenario if the right offer came along.

It felt like only a matter of time before players started posting reactions to the Cincinnati Bengals hitting Tee Higgins with a second franchise tag. Ja'Marr Chase, it seems, tops the list. Chase took to social media after word broke that the Bengals applied the $26 million tag (and made a bold statement while announcing it) and kept things vague with his reaction.