Joe Burrow Confident Bengals Will 'Do What It Takes' to Give Tee Higgins New Contract

Although Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins can become a free agent at the end of the 2024 season, quarterback Joe Burrow believes the organization will find a way to re-sign him.

According to ESPN's Ben Baby, Burrow said the following about Higgins' situation: "Those discussions are ongoing. I'm confident that I think we're going to do what it takes to bring Tee back."

Burrow also suggested that he would get involved in an effort to facilitate a new deal between the two sides, saying: "I know that I'm going to do what it takes to get him back and so is he. We've had those talks. Those are going to be offseason discussions. But I think we're excited about that opportunity."

Higgins, 25, has spent his entire five-year NFL career in Cincinnati, but he could potentially be poised to cash in elsewhere during the offseason.

The 2020 second-round draft pick out of Clemson was prevented from hitting free agency last offseason due to the franchise tag, and although he did not initially sign his franchise tender, he ultimately decided to do so when it became clear no trade would materialize.

Unfortunately for Higgins, he is in the midst of his second consecutive injury-riddled season, having missed a total of 10 games over the past two campaigns.

Over his first three NFL seasons, Higgins had two 1,000-yard years, and he averaged about 72 catches for 1,009 yards, and over six touchdowns per season.

However, after missing five games last season, he put up career lows with 42 grabs for 656 yards and five scores.

Higgins is in a similar boat this season, having missed another five games, although he is pacing toward a better statistical campaign with 45 receptions for 581 yards and five touchdowns through eight games.

Bengals No. 1 wideout Ja'Marr Chase gets most of the glory since he leads the NFL with 93 receptions for 1,319 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, but Higgins' importance to the team cannot be overstated.

The Bengals are 4-4 when Higgins plays this season, but in the five games he has missed, they are just 1-4.

Higgins helps open things up for Chase and gives Burrow another big-time weapon when opposing defenses key on Chase, meaning he often contributes to winning football even when he isn't putting up big numbers.

That was on full display during Monday night's 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys when Higgins had just two catches for 23 yards, while Chase went off for 14 grabs, 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Perhaps the biggest obstacle standing between Higgins and a new deal with the Bengals, however, is Chase's need and desire for a new contract.

As of now, Chase is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the 2025 season, and he already made it clear this past offseason that he wants a new deal, as he "held in" throughout much of training camp.

Given the massive numbers Chase has put up this year, he is almost certainly in line to become the highest-paid wideout in NFL history.

The Bengals would likely have to make Higgins one of the highest-paid receivers in the league in order to keep him as well, and it is unclear if they would be willing to do so.

Given their 5-8 record, it is clear that the Bengals have many other needs they have to address, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

Additionally, Chad Graff of The Athletic reported this week that the New England Patriots will be "all in" on Higgins and intend to "offer him the moon."

While the Bengals can provide Higgins with a better situation, they may not be able to compete with a team like the Patriots if they are willing to pay him like a top-10 receiver.