The Patriots are set to enter the offseason with a league-best $119 million in cap space.
But it’s looking like New England won’t be able to use any of that fiscal flexibility on pending free agent Tee Higgins.
Despite Higgins’ standing as the top free-agent receiver on the market, the Bengals wideout may not even make it to free agency.
James Rapien of Sports Illustrated reported on Monday that the Bengals plan on placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on Higgins for a second consecutive season if he doesn’t come to terms on a long-term extension before the March 4 deadline.