NFL insider validates what Bengals QB Joe Burrow has been heavily hinting at for the past month
Riding alongside the Cincinnati Bengals' four-game win streak entering Week 18 is the belief that Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are working to stick together for the foreseeable future. Burrow has made it apparent multiple times in recent weeks that he expects both Chase and Higgins to sign with the team, expressing confidence in […]
Riding alongside the Cincinnati Bengals' four-game win streak entering Week 18 is the belief that Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are working to stick together for the foreseeable future.
Burrow has made it apparent multiple times in recent weeks that he expects both Chase and Higgins to sign with the team, expressing confidence in press conferences and taking direct shots at the front office on the matter.
Cincinnati's franchise quarterback seems to have a plan, and the noise surrounding the triumvirate's vision seems to be very real from inside Paycor Stadium.
New report backs up Joe Burrow's plan for the Bengals
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport recently reported ahead of Cincinnati's Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers that Burrow, Chase, and Higgins intend on figuring out how both receivers can re-up with the club this offseason.
"Sources say the three have discussed playing together again for years to come. It's their goal, and privately they have made no secret about it." – NFL Media's Ian Rapoport
Chase will enter the last year of his rookie contract thanks to the fifth-year option, and Higgins' franchise tag will expire after the regular season ends. He will enter free agency in March unless Cincy tags him again, or re-signs him beforehand.
The Bengals would be looking at extending Chase's current contract, like they tried to do before this season, and give Higgins a completely new deal. That's easier said than done when Burrow is set to earn nearly $40 million in cash this year, and the rest of the roster needs retooling with enhanced focus on the defensive side of the ball.
An easy way to create more flexibility from a salary cap perspective would be to rework Burrow's current deal, which has five more years remaining on it. Pushing larger cap hits into the future would ensure Burrow keeps his money while the Bengals can fit in the contracts for his top receivers. Chase very well may exceed $40 million per year on his deal and Higgins will likely be above $30 million per year.
Again, easier said than done, but it also helps that Chase and Higgins share agents now. The communication of working out both deals will be made simpler because of that.
A lot of pressure will be on the Bengals when their season ends. They won't have the entire offseason to figure out how to keep their elite trio together and expect to add solid pieces around them. Upsetting their MVP-caliber QB happy shouldn't be anywhere near their to-do list.
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These Bengals may not be around next season.
