Joe Burrow makes a strong statement about Tee Higgins’ future with the Bengals

Even in the midst of a disappointing season that has the Cincinnati Bengals as underdogs in the hunt for a playoff spot in the AFC, Joe Burrow is enjoying one of the most productive seasons of his career. And after leading the Bengals to a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, Burrow made it clear that he understands how important three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and talented wideout Tee Higgins are to his success are .

Speaking to reporters, Burrow said he hopes the team can bring back Chase, with whom the team unsuccessfully tried to negotiate a long-term contract last offseason. Of course, paying money to Chase’s top receiver could make a long-term commitment to Higgins difficult. But Burrow said he is “confident” the Bengals will do whatever it takes, adding that he plans to be involved in the process when Higgins becomes a free agent at the end of the league year in March.

“These discussions are ongoing,” Burrow said. “I am confident we will be able to do whatever it takes to get Tee (Higgins) back. And I know that I will do everything to get him back and so will he. We.” I’ve had these conversations. So those will be off-season conversations.

“But I think we’re excited about this opportunity.”

Higgins, 25, has posted two 1,000-yard campaigns in five NFL seasons and was looking to the team for long-term security in the form of a contract, but little progress was made on that front at the start of last offseason, with Higgins leading the way Apply for trade. With a long-term contract not in sight and a trade even more unlikely, Higgins signed the one-year franchise agreement in June, later saying he did so to “muffle the noise.”

So it’s no secret what Higgins wants this offseason – it’s just a matter of whether the long-term deal is financially feasible for the Bengals.

In Burrows’ eyes, Higgins is an elite talent at the position, one who commands the respect of defenses even when he doesn’t exactly fill up the stat sheet, as was the case on his 23-yard attempt on Monday.

“Yeah, you feel his presence when he’s out there,” Burrow said. “You feel his presence. You can feel how it affects the defense. You can feel how it affects the instructions from the defensive coordinators. Even if he’s not particularly productive on a night, teams have to worry about him.”

“His presence… The defense is worried about him. And you can feel it.”