Joe Burrow wants Tee Higgins back in Bengals at any cost
Joe Burrow is adamant about keeping Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, vowing to handle matters when Bengals' contract talks begin.
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Joe Burrow wants Tee Higgins in Cincinnati beyond 2024 season (Image via IMAGO)
Joe Burrow has no intention of letting Tee Higgins leave the Cincinnati Bengals. He wants the duo of Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase to remain as it is.
The Bengals returned to winning ways on Monday after securing a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys at Arlington. Higgins didn’t have a great outing—caught just 2 passes for 23 yards. However, he blocked for Chase Brown and drove Cowboys defenders away so that Chase could lodge 177 yards and 2 touchdowns.
It’s not easy to find a receiver who is willing to sacrifice his individual numbers for the betterment of the team. Chase is the No. 1 for the Bengals; that’s why he sees most of the ball, but Higgins shows up when required. For that exact reason, Joe Burrow doesn’t want the Bengals to part ways with the 25-year-old wideout.
At the post-match presser, reporters asked Burrow about his stance regarding Higgins’ contract ending after the 2024 season.
I am confident that we are gonna be able to do it takes to get Tee back, and I’m gonna do what it takes to get him back, and so is he. We have had those talks so those are gonna be off-season discussions and we are excited about the opportunity.
Joe Burrow said
Burrow looked in top form against the Cowboys. He completed 33 passes for 369 yards (75 yards was the most) for 3 touchdowns and 1 interception, ending with a 121.76 quarterback rating.
Joe Burrow on the #Bengals keeping WR Tee Higgins next season:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 10, 2024
“I’m gonna do what it takes to get him back, and so is he.”pic.twitter.com/MjHr93hr04
Can the Bengals keep Tee Higgins?
Higgins wanted a long-term contract before the current season began, but the Bengals did not budge and opted to franchise tag the second-rounder. He reluctantly accepted staying in Cincinnati with hopes of lodging big numbers, but when the roster has a receiver like Chase, that’s easier said than done.
The Bengals are currently 5-8 and have a sliver of hope of playing postseason football, but they need other AFC teams to slip up while they continue to win games. There’s a possibility of missing out on January football, so the Bengals front office needs to start thinking about contracts.
Higgins will be among the priority players. According to Spotrac, he can earn up to $25 million annually with a cap hit of $28 million and guaranteed money, north of $80 million. The Bengals at the moment have a cap space of $6.508 million, with Burrow occupying more than half of it.
Next year, when the cap resets, the Bengals first will pay off their players with contracts and then turn to negotiations. However, they will have to make a business decision.
The Ja’Marr Chase conundrum
Now the issue is that Higgins isn’t the only one waiting for a contract. Chase’s contract also runs out in the offseason, and he will definitely be the first person to get a new deal. The All-Pro receiver leads the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, further increasing his stock.
Spotrac projects Chase, at the very least, will match his former LSU teammate Justin Jefferson’s $35 million deal. The only deciding factor in who becomes the highest-paid non-quarterback is the signing bonus. Now the ball is in the Bengals’ court as to whether they only pay Chase and let Higgins leave or make adjustments to keep both.
Related: Juan Soto’s $765 million deal dwarfs Dak Prescott, Joe Burrow, and Lamar Jackson’s combined salary
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Ishan Misra
(2962 Articles Published)