Joe Burrow Confident Bengals Can Keep Tee Higgins Despite Financial Challenges
ARLINGTON, Texas — Heading into Monday night’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, the Cincinnati Bengals were focused on savoring the remainder of a season that hasn’t gone as planned. With a disappointing record, the team’s message was about creating lasting memories. But after their thrilling 27-20 victory at AT&T Stadium, quarterback Joe Burrow shifted the narrative entirely.
Suddenly, the final four games of the regular season might not be the end for Cincinnati’s dynamic offensive trio of Burrow and wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Higgins, who has been unable to secure a long-term deal with the Bengals over the past two offseasons, is currently playing on a one-year franchise tag. But Burrow made it clear in his postgame press conference that he believes the team will find a way to keep Higgins in Cincinnati.
“Those discussions are ongoing,” Burrow said. “I’m confident that I think we’re going to do what it takes to bring Tee back.”
Burrow didn’t stop there. He even pledged to get personally involved in the effort to retain his star wideout.
“I know that I’m going to do what it takes to get him back and so is he,” Burrow added. “We’ve had those talks. Those are going to be offseason discussions. But I think we’re excited about that opportunity.”
Can the Bengals Afford to Keep Higgins?
Let’s be real: the odds of keeping Higgins beyond this season have seemed as slim as the Bengals’ playoff chances. Even after Monday’s win, Cincinnati sits at 5-8, and their postseason hopes are hanging by a thread with just a 1.9% chance of making it, according to ESPN Research. Financially, the situation is just as tight. Burrow is already earning $55 million annually, and Chase, who currently leads the NFL in receiving yards, catches, and touchdowns, is on track to secure a record-breaking deal as the highest-paid receiver in league history.
Still, Burrow remains optimistic. He reiterated his confidence in the team’s ability to make the financial logistics work, both during his press conference and later at his locker.
A Special Coin Toss Moment
Before the game, head coach Zac Taylor selected Burrow, Chase, and Higgins to serve as the team’s pregame captains for the coin toss. It marked the first time the trio, who have been playing together since 2021, represented the team in this way. While no official meaning was attached to the gesture, it clearly resonated with Chase.
“It runs in my mind,” Chase admitted. “During the coin toss, that actually ran across my brain.”
Chase certainly made his presence felt on the field Monday night. He hauled in 14 catches on 18 targets for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning 40-yard score with just over a minute left on the clock. The play was a highlight-reel moment, as Chase spun free from defenders and sprinted into the end zone to seal the victory.
Burrow credited Higgins’ presence on the field as a key factor in Chase’s big night.
“You feel his presence when he is out there,” Burrow said of Higgins. “You feel how it affects the defense. You feel how it affects the defensive coordinator’s calls. Even if he’s not super productive on the night, teams have to worry about him and feel his presence. The defense is worried about him, and you feel that.”
Higgins’ Quiet Night and Uncertain Future
While Chase shined, Higgins had a quieter outing. He managed just two catches on five targets for 23 yards and missed a potential touchdown. After the game, Higgins joked that he should no longer be a game captain based on his performance.
Despite the lack of production, Higgins appreciated Burrow’s postgame comments and made his own priorities clear. He wants a long-term deal this offseason and isn’t ruling out a return to Cincinnati. However, he acknowledged that the financial feasibility of such a move is ultimately up to the front office.
“The relationships are more important,” Higgins said from the visitors’ locker room. “Financially, that’s going to come.”
For now, Higgins is cherishing every moment with his teammates, knowing this could be his final season in Cincinnati. Walking onto the field with Burrow and Chase in front of a national audience was a moment he won’t soon forget.
“Like y’all said, this could be my last season [with the Bengals], so I definitely appreciated it for sure,” Higgins said. “I love those guys to death.”
Key Takeaways
- Joe Burrow is confident the Bengals can re-sign Tee Higgins despite financial challenges.
- Ja’Marr Chase had a monster game with 177 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner.
- The Bengals’ playoff chances remain slim at just 1.9%, but the team is focused on finishing strong.
As the Bengals’ season winds down, the future of their star trio remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the bond between Burrow, Chase, and Higgins is as strong as ever, and they’re determined to make the most of their time together—however long it may last.
Originally Written by: Ben Baby
