Bengals’ Joe Burrow ‘Excited’ for Whenever Tee Higgins Returns amid Contract Holdout

Julia StumbaughJune 11, 2024

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Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow says he is “excited” for wideout Tee Higgins to return to the team amid his ongoing contract dispute.

“Me and Tee are always talking,” Burrow told reporters Tuesday during Bengals minicamp (28:45 mark.) “I’ve seen Tee several times this offseason, he looks great. Whenever he’s ready to come back, I’ll be excited to see him.”

Cincinnati Bengals @BengalsJoe Burrow Press Conference https://t.co/xIg6eKoeBv

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Higgins was not in attendance at the Bengals’ mandatory minicamp, which runs from June 11 to June 13.

The Bengals placed a $21.8 million franchise tag on Higgins in February, which the wide receiver has yet to sign. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in March that Higgins had requested a trade from Cincinnati because of his disappointment over a lack of long-term extension.

Burrow has previously expressed public support of both Higgins and Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who also requested a trade while seeking a longer-term deal from the Bengals.

“Those guys have their business they need to take care of. I support them in every way,” Burrow said in May, per Bengals.com’s Geoff Hobson. “Both those guys have earned everything that has come to them and more. I’ll support them all the way through it.”

Higgins made 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns last season, during which he remained one of Burrow’s top three targets even as hamstring and rib injuries limited him to 12 games.

The Bengals and Higgins have until July 15 to work out an extension. If the two parties don’t reach an agreement by then, he will be required to play the 2024 season on his one-year franchise tag.