Joe Burrow will do whatever it takes.
Those were his words when asked about whether the Cincinnati Bengals can keep their star receiver who is set to be a free agent in the summer.
Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins
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Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins
After the Bengals 27-20 Monday night win against the Dallas Cowboys , Joe Burrow remained optimistic in every question about Tee Higgins' future.
Higgins will be one of the most sought after free-agents if he cannot agree a deal to remain with the Bengals, but Burrow was unshakeable in his belief on the pair remaining teammates next season.
"I'm confident that I think we're gonna be able to do what it takes to bring Tee back," Burrow told reporters.
"I know that I'm gonna do what it takes to get him back, and so is he. We've had those talks. Those are gonna be off-season discussions, but I think we're excited about that opportunity."
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What Burrow means when he said he is willing to do whatever it takes is unknown, although a restructuring of his own $275 million deal signed in 2023 is an option.
"We'll see," Burrow said mysteriously when asked why he is confident Higgins would stay.
25-year-old Higgins, who has suffered injuries this season, has only featured in eight games as injuries have taken their toll but he still has more than 500 yards to go with his five touchdowns,
Higgins has been a hugely reliable piece of the Bengals explosive offense since he was drafted in 2020 and is playing on the $21.8 million franchise tag - any new deal would likely take him beyond that.
"That's cool. That would be exciting to return here and what not," Higgins said when told about Burrow's comments . "Shout out Joe."
Tee Higgins at the AT&T Stadium
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Tee Higgins at the AT&T Stadium
When asked if the Bengals can keep him and Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins said it "a question for upstairs. I've got no clue."
Higgins has two 1,000 yard seasons under his belt and has been alongside Burrow ever since the pair were drafted together in 2020 along with Ja'Marr Chase have been critical to the team's explosive offense.
"You feel his presence when he's out there," Burrow said when asked about Higgins' importance. "You feel how it affects a defence. You feel how it affects the defensive coordinator's calls.
"Even if he's not super productive on a night, teams have to worry about him. ... A defense is worried about him, and you feel that."
The contract of superstar receiver Chase is also likely to shape the Bengals future.
The first round pick from 2021 is in the fourth year of his rookie contract after after failing to agree terms in the most recent offseason has made it clear about his ambitions for next year
"I wish I could sign Tee myself and have them with me for eternity," Chase said.
“It’s 100 percent possible. It’s just playing chess at this point.”
Chase leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,319), touchdowns (15) and receptions (93) and is seeking a deal that would place him alongside or above Minnesota's Justin Jefferson who signed a record $140million deal in June.
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