Joe Burrow cheered the Bengals’ strategic move to franchise tag WR Tee Higgins, ensuring their dynamic duo remains intact for another season. Yet, while the tag locks in Higgins for now, his long-term future with Cincinnati remains uncertain due to ongoing contract negotiations. 

Can the Bengals meet Higgins’ demands to keep their star receiver after next season?

Burrow thrilled on Higgins’ return but long-term deal remains unresolved

After Tee Higgins signed his $21.8M franchise tag, Bengals QB Joe Burrow was elated. This trade guarantees Higgins for 2024, but the real story is the player-team contract discussions.

Per ESPN, Burrow said he’s eager to start throwing to Higgins again. “Tee and I are always chatting. Tee has appeared many times this off-season. He looks good. When he returns, I’ll be happy to see him.” However, the WR’s long-term status in Cincinnati remains a source of friction.

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Unsatisfied with the Bengals’ initial salary offers, Higgins requested a trade earlier this year. Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer said these bids “never approached” $20 million a year and fell short of Higgins’ camp’s guaranteed money demands. This financial difference explains why negotiations haven’t progressed since May 2023, per ESPN’s Ben Baby.

However, WR Higgins said he would play for the Bengals in 2024, despite the trade request and protracted talks. While a huge increase from his prior earnings ($10.1 million in four years), the $21.8M tag doesn’t address his long-term financial security. This tag pay only covers 2024, so Higgins isn’t guaranteed anything beyond that. This also puts the Cincinnati team in danger.

Higgins, 25, is a rising talent. Despite having hamstring and rib injuries that limited him in 2023, he still caught 42 passes and scored five touchdowns. Besides, he is crucial in the playoffs, given his appearance in 58 regular-season games (53 starts), landing 257 passes for 3,684 and 24 touchdowns. 

Burrow’s enthusiasm highlights the team’s need for Higgins’ comeback, but the coming months will reveal if Cincinnati is willing to pay the price. Will the Bengals pony up and meet his financial demands or risk losing a key offensive weapon? Whatever it may be, Cincinnati’s president is focussed on another player at the moment. 

Bengals president Mike Brown calls Joe Burrow the team’s heart 

Amid Tee Higgins’ contract uncertainty with the franchise, owner Mike Brown hopes to sign Joe Burrow to a long-term contract extension. The 27-year-old has taken the team to new heights, and Brown didn’t fail to praise him either. The Cincinnati president said in an interview, “Joe Burrow is the heart of the football team.” 

Per reports, both the franchise and Burrow’s camp have agreed to not disclose contract details publicly (yet). Brown said, “We’ll see if we can get this done in a business-like way. We’re trying. [Burrow]’s trying. We’ll see how it goes!” With the Bengals’ QB acknowledged as the team’s heart, the franchise seems certain about his long-term future.

While contract details remain under wraps, both sides appear committed to closing a deal, perhaps paving the way for potential extensions for WR Higgins.