Joe Burrow would approve latest insider report on Tee Higgins' future with Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow answered as simple as he could last month when asked about wide receiver Tee Higgins."I expect Tee to be back."Anyone who still doubts that may want to reconsider. Sportskeeda.com NFL insider and draft analyst Tony Pauline's latest report revolves around the future of Higgins, and why that future is in […]
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow answered as simple as he could last month when asked about wide receiver Tee Higgins.
"I expect Tee to be back."
Anyone who still doubts that may want to reconsider.
Sportskeeda.com NFL insider and draft analyst Tony Pauline's latest report revolves around the future of Higgins, and why that future is in Cincinnati.
According to Pauline, the Bengals are still negotiating a long-term contract extension with Higgins leading up to the franchise tag deadline on March 5. If no deal is reached, the tag will be placed on the 25-year old wideout.
"Sources close to the Bengals tell me the team is trying to negotiate a contract extension with Higgins to lock him up for the next several years. If the team cannot agree to terms with the wideout by March 5, they’ll tag him but continue to negotiate with the hopes of signing him long term before the start of the season." – Sportskeeda.com's Tony Pauline
Bengals want to keep Tee Higgins for the long run
This has been the expectation all along. While the franchise tag is the more likely outcome, Cincinnati has prioritized extending Higgins since last year. Negotiations unfortunately never got close leading up to the 2023 season, according to multiple reports, but interest was always there from both sides.
Higgins is currently in the midst of the exact same timeline Jessie Bates III went through two years ago. Bates and the team couldn't reach an extension on multiple occasions, and the safety eventually was made the franchise player for the 2022 season. Bates has since joined the Atlanta Falcons and reached his first Pro Bowl last season.
The same outcome can be avoided if Higgins and the front office agree to terms. It's certainly what Burrow and his teammates would prefer.
"We all want Tee back," Burrow said in January. "We know what kind of player he is, we know what kind of person he is. He’s what being a Bengal is all about. So, like you said, we’ll see. But I think we should have a good opportunity.”
If extension talks are in progress, it could also mean they won't have much interest in taking trade offers for Higgins. The Bengals could trade Higgins after tagging him next month.
Talks will continue between now and March 5, but Burrow's wish of having one of his best receivers back next season is likely to be granted.
Bengals expected to wait before acting on their biggest offseason move
There’s a precedent for patience.
