Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins is heading toward free agency, set to be one of the hottest commodities on the market: A big-play receiver who wasn't locked down by his team.
That is unless the Bengals change gears in the coming months.
Following Monday night's 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys, Joe Burrow offered a vote of confidence that Cincinnati could keep Higgins in the fold while also inking Ja'Marr Chase to a big contract.
"We don't know. Those discussions are ongoing. I'm confident we are going to be able to do what it takes to bring Tee back," Burrow said via the official transcript. "I know that I am going to do what it takes to get him back. So he can have those talks; those are going to be offseason discussions. I think we are excited about that opportunity."
Burrow's comments suggest he's willing to re-do his deal to ensure the Bengals have enough cap space to retain both high-profile wideouts. Chase's price tag continues to go skyward. At this stage, he's poised to leapfrog Justin Jefferson for the highest-paid receiver honor.
Meanwhile, Higgins would represent a rare quality No. 1 target who reached the open market in his prime in recent seasons. He's currently playing on the franchise tag ($21.816 million).
Entering the season, it seemed destined Higgins would play out the year and then leave to get his payday -- it's been the Bengal's modus operandi (see: Jessie Bates). It would be a coup for the normally fiscally conservative Bengals to retain two $20-plus million receivers, but Burrow's confidence indicates it could be a possibility. The coming months could show just how much pull the franchise QB has in Cincinnati.