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Bengals' Joe Burrow Not 'Thrilled About' Week 18 Possibly Being Last with Tee Higgins

Taylyn HadleyDecember 31, 2024

CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Tee Higgins #5 and Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Tee Higgins have unmatched chemistry.

However, as the Bengals head into their Week 18 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Burrow is not thrilled about the possibility that it could be their last game together.

"It's obviously a possibility. Not one I'm thrilled about." Burrow said, according to CLNS Media's Mike Petraglia. "You don't want to make a living out of letting great players leave your building."

Higgins is slated to hit free agency in 2025, currently on a $21.8 million franchise tag.

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Higgins and the Bengals did not reach an agreement on a deal, but the Bengals have high hopes that they can come to an agreement ahead of free-agency in March.

Higgins told CBS Sports' Aditi Kinkhabwala that being paid as a No. 1 wide receiver is not his top priority, adding that playing alongside former Heisman-winning quarterback Burrow and former LSU star Ja'Marr Chase is hard to match.

"I'm playing with if not the best, one of the best, QBs. I'm playing with if not the best, one of the best, WRs. That opens up things for me," Higgins said, per Kinkhabwala. "In this offense, everyone has a chance to be spotlighted."

Chase has also been vocal about making it a priority for the Bengals to re-sign Higgins.

"Pay the man," Chase yelled as Higgins was talking with reporters after their 30-24 overtime victory over Denver on Saturday.

"If that was his last game in this stadium, he went out with a bang. But that's a big if," Chase told reporters.

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Following the Denver victory, where Higgins recorded 131 yards on 11 receptions with three touchdowns, he grew sentimental about the possibility of it being his last home game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.

"I hope not, but that could have been my last game in the stripes here," Higgins told reporters. "This game, it meant a lot more to me coming into it. Definitely a surreal feeling."