“The NFL today informed teams that the 2025 per-team salary cap will fall in the range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million, way up from last year’s $255.4 million. Cap will have increased by more than $53 million over the last two years.”

While this year’s salary cap hasn’t been finalized, the NFL told team executives across its landscape to expect a ceiling between $277.5 million to $281.5 million, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. That’s more than $20 million up from last year’s $255.4 million cap last fall.

Quarterback Joe Burrow led the league in passing yards. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase won the NFL’s receiving triple crown. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson led the league in sacks. Normally, that would lead to a fantastic season. It didn’t even lead to a playoff berth for Cincinnati.

With the franchise tag window opening this week, one report has already revealed that the Bengals will hit Higgins with a second tag if the two sides can’t reach a long-term agreement. Now, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has followed up with a bit of a bombshell report: The team will attempt to secure a trio of stars who need new deals — wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson — for the long term,

The Cincinnati Bengals are aiming to lock down three key players this offseason, hoping to secure wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, as well as defensive end Trey Hendrickson, to long-term deals,