One of the top receivers that was set to hit free agency won’t even join the open market this offseason.

The Bengals plan to use the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, keeping him under team control for at least one more season, NFL.com reported Friday night.

The 25-year-old is expected to receive a fully guaranteed $21.8 million for 2024 if the two sides can’t come to a long-term extension by March 5.

Higgins would have been one of the top free-agent options at wide receiver this offseason, as he put together four strong seasons with Cincinnati.

Suiting up in 12 games last year, he still reeled in 42 catches for 656 yards to go along with six touchdowns.

Before that, he posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons as the No. 2 Bengals receiving option for Joe Burrow.

He added 18 catches during a run to the Super Bowl during the 2021 season in which the Bengals ultimately fell short against the Rams.

In the big game, he broke through with four catches, 100 yards and two scores in a valiant effort.

There weren’t any definitive reports connecting either the Jets or the Giants to Higgins, but at least one defensive back on Gang Green expressed interest in bringing the Bengals wideout to the Meadowlands.

Two-time All-Pro Sauce Gardner replied to a fan on X in January, saying the team should look to “Calvin Ridley & Tee” Higgins in free agency.

After Garrett Wilson, the Jets did not have a receiver that even eclipsed the 400-yard mark in 2023, as Allen Lazard finished a disappointing first season in New York with just 23 catches and 311 yards.

Tight end Tyler Conklin was second on the team in receiving yards with 621.

The Giants, who did not have a receiver reach 800 yards this season, were seen as among the best fits for Higgins, according to Sports Illustrated.