What Does Joe Burrow’s Contract Mean for Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins?

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins found out about quarterback Joe Burrow’s five-year, $275 million extension the way everyone else did: via a push alert on his phone. Higgins said he was thrilled to know that his teammate is receiving “life-changing money.”

“He can buy an island.” pic.twitter.com/24Tv2OIUGH

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 8, 2023

What Does Joe Burrow’s Deal Mean for Tee Higgins?

But what does it mean for Higgins, who was taken one round after Burrow in the 2020 draft and is hoping for his own contract extension that will keep him in Cincinnati beyond this season?

“For me? I don’t know what it means,” Higgins said after practice Friday.

Teammate Tyler Boyd knows:

“He got the short end of the stick,” Boyd said of Higgins.

By making Burrow the highest-paid player in the league, the Bengals don’t appear to have a path toward extending Higgins for anything close to what he has proven to be worth in his first three seasons in the league, especially given the franchise’s unwillingness to sacrifice future years for the all-in approach so many other teams attempt.

Add in the fact that the team already has extended linebacker Logan Wilson, who went one round after Higgins in 2020, linebacker Germaine Pratt, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson, in addition to giving left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. one of the biggest non-quarterback deals in franchise history and, oh by the way, plotting a way to make Ja’Marr Chase the highest-paid receiver next offseason, and it’s pretty clear that Higgins has two options:

Play out the final season of his rookie deal, which will pay him a base salary of $2.99 million, or try to force the team’s hand by not playing.

Higgins said as far as he’s concerned, the first option is the only option.

“If I didn’t play, I could see why I wouldn’t,” he said. “But me as a competitor, I want to play the game. And it also could set myself up for the future.”

“I definitely want to show that I can be a No. 1,” he added. “I feel like I have before, but there’s always room for improvement, and I feel like I definitely need to improve on more because my résumé is not as good as the greats. I’ve got a lot more work to do, and looking forward to putting the work in to get that done.”

“I definitely want to show I can be a No. 1.” pic.twitter.com/Wo9gowFw7x

— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) September 8, 2023

As grim as the prospects appear for him getting a deal done, Higgins said he still has a flicker of optimism.

Does he think there still could be some last-minute serious negotiations between his agent and Bengals adversary David Mulugheta (see Jessie Bates)?

“I hope. But I have no clue. My job is just come in every day and do what I do best, which is catch the ball from No. 9.”

Higgins said he hasn’t texted or called Mulugheta for any sort of update.

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“I think it would be better if he texted me and I get that message that says give me a call,” he said with a big grin. “I’m gonna call him in less than two seconds.”

There was one text from Mulugheta on Thursday, but not the one Higgins wanted.

“I got one, but it was like, ‘Woooo, did you see Burrow’s deal?!’ Higgins said. “Yeah, I seen it.

“I’m so happy for him,” Higgins added. “He’s deserved it. He’s playing like the best quarterback in the league. It’s well deserved.”