Bengals' Joe Burrow expects Tee Higgins to be back next season
The Cincinnati Bengals may look very different around quarterback Joe Burrow in 2024, and that includes his receiving corps. Both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are scheduled to enter free agency this offseason. According to Burrow himself, the expectation is that Higgins stays in Cincinnati."I expect Tee to be back," Burrow told media members Monday […]
The Cincinnati Bengals may look very different around quarterback Joe Burrow in 2024, and that includes his receiving corps. Both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are scheduled to enter free agency this offseason.
According to Burrow himself, the expectation is that Higgins stays in Cincinnati.
"I expect Tee to be back," Burrow told media members Monday morning. "I think that's the sentiment in the locker room. We all want Tee back. We know kind of player he is, we know what kind of person he is. He's what being a Bengal is all about. So we'll see, but I think we should have a good opportunity."
Tee Higgins' chances of re-signing with Bengals
The Bengals were on the same page with Burrow last offseason when they tried to extend Higgins' contract. Both sides couldn't come to an agreement prior to what ended up being the worst season of Higgins' career. Injuries coupled with drops led to career-lows in receptions, yards, and touchdowns for the fourth-year receiver.
A down year for Higgins has not changed how Burrow views him and his future with the team.
"I know Tee wants to be here," Burrow said. "Tee knows that we want him here. There's not much to say on that aspect. Everybody's expectation is that he's gonna be back. The offseason plays out in crazy ways that you don't really expect, but I'd love to have Tee back. I know he wants to be back."
There's being back, and there's being back on a long-term deal. The Bengals can easily place the franchise tag on Higgins when that becomes an option in February. That will open the window for both sides to restart contract negotiations, as talks were put on halt during the season. They chose this path with Jessie Bates III two years ago.
The Bengals actually reach a long-term deal with Higgins is another mystery entirely. Burrow confirmed that during his own contract negotiations, his deal allowed flexibility for major moves such as this to transpire around him.
"We made sure things were in place," Burrow said.
Higgins is the big fish of free agency for the Bengals, but there's so much more they need to accomplish as well. Signing him to a long-term deal would require more cash up front and would likely save salary cap space compared to placing the franchise tag on him.
It's one of many problems Cincinnati needs to solve to best build around Burrow for 2024.
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