The biggest talking point around the Cincinnati Bengals inevitably shifted to who else the team might be able to afford long-term in the wake of Joe Burrow’s contract extension.
On paper, it sounds bad for guys like Tee Higgins — Burrow got a huge five-year extension worth $275 million with $219 million in guarantees, a full $188 million more than any other player in team history as the front office didn’t just leave its comfort zone, but blew it up on the way out the door.
But for someone semi-close to the situation like Burrow’s dad, he doesn’t get the impression it’s bad news for players around the NFL’s highest-paid player.
“We all know that Joe wants his team around him to be compensated,” Jimmy Burrow said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “He loves those guys. Loves his teammates. He knows the whole reason he’s able to get a contract like this is because of his teammates and coaches and he’ll be the first to tell you that.”
We have yet to see actual contract structure on Burrow’s deal to determine if and how the team might be able to fit Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase on big mega-extensions, too.
But as we always stress, it’s more about want than ability, as teams can manipulate cap, push due dates back, etc. Everything Burrow himself has said points to his desire to keep the core around him.
Plus, Adam Schefter made it clear the Bengals prioritized two more extensions after Burrow — meaning his star receivers.
As for Higgins himself, he doesn’t sound too stressed about the situation.
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