This is the first of a four-part series analyzing every angle of the Cincinnati Bengals’ future with free-agent receiver Tee Higgins and running mate Ja’Marr Chase. We lay out the truth of all discussion points from club, player and analytical angles leading up to the franchise tag deadline on March 5 as they plot the next phase of the Joe Burrow era.
• Part 1, Tuesday: Understanding the ramificatio
• Part 2, Wednesday: The primary weapon and asterisk of availabilit
• Part 3, Thursday: The Chase extension and trends of paying two top WR
• Part 4, Friday: What they should do, what they will d
Joe Burrow said he expects Tee Higgins back. Higgins’ contract is up and, for the first time, the 25-year-old is a free agent. There’s a desire throughout the building for the star receiver and his dynamic combo partnership with Ja’Marr Chase to continue in Cincinnati for at least one more yea
In football, specifically the business side, hopes and desires don’t always align with the final result.There’s a pie, you know, referencing a favorite analogy utilized by director of player personnel Duke Tobin with reporters at the Senior Bowl last month. A larger slice for one means a smaller for anothe
With Higgins’ situation and discussions in the corner offices of Paycor Stadium about the path forward with him, this is less pie and more kaleidoscop
Four different paths of his future — in conjunction with the contracts of Burrow and Chase — all would create significant ripple effects and determine how the Bengals plan on approaching the next phase of Burrow’s quest to deliver a championshi
The writing is on the wall and all expectations are the Bengals will use a franchise tag on Higginsp.e.r.r.osynsl result.
