The Cincinnati Bengals are entering the 2024 season with their core playmakers in place, as quarterback Joe Burrow is healed up, and receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are ready to form a dynamic duo of pass-catching skill.
More news: Bengals Owner Shuts Down Idea of Ja’Marr Chase Extension This Offseason
The Bengals nearly lost Higgins, who was angling to get a new contract in place. Though Higgins played hardball with the team, attempting to strongarm the organization into a new deal, they did not budge. Higgins instead signed his franchise tag, which will pay him a guaranteed $23 million this season.
Bengals owner Mike Brown offered some insight on why the team was not willing to give Higgins a new contract, and his blunt reasoning could spell trouble for someone like Chase down the line.
“The pie is not going to grow. It’s only going to be a certain size, but when you reach a point with your quarterback that you have to pay him a big contract, that takes a disproportionate piece out of the pie,” Brown said. “Which means you have less left to pay the others. Sometimes that impacts whether you can get the others signed.
Brown pointed to the Bengals having to pay Burrow a massive contract, which is certainly warranted. Burrow reinvigorated the team in a way that has not been seen since the early 2010s.
The Bengals locked up Burrow with a five-year, $275 million contract in 2023, signing him through to the 2029 season. This contract has led to Brown being a bit more frugal about other players on the roster.
“You can’t just pay people willy-nilly. You’re restricted on how much you can pay, and we really like Tee Higgins. We would wish to sign him, but it has to be at a certain level to fit within the cap or it can’t be done,” Brown added.
Higgins has reached 1,000+ yards in two of his first four seasons. During his rookie season in 2020, Higgins nearly hit the 1,000-yard mark with 908. Higgins was limited with injuries in 2023, but still secured 656 yards in 12 games. There is no telling what kind of production he could have had with a full season.
Even with the injuries in 2023, Higgins has still proven himself to be a solid wide receiver. Unfortunately, Brown appears to see him more as a cap casualty than someone who should be signed long-term.
What makes Brown’s comments a bit concerning is what the team plans to do if and when they have to offer Chase a new contract. Chase has been one of the best receivers in the game, and he is still playing on his rookie contract.
Chase has secured over 1,200 yards in each of his first three seasons in the NFL. The Bengals will need to ensure they can pay Burrow and Chase, otherwise, the offensive attack for the team will face a severe downgrade.
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