Those outside of the organization wonder how they're going to pay Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Higgins long-term.
Despite internet speculation, the Bengals are focused on keeping the trio together, league sources tell All Bengals.
Both Joe Burrow and Higgins are eligible for contract extensions this offseason.
While Burrow is the focus, the organization has every intention of making a push to sign Higgins to a long-term contract before the start of the 2023 season.
The 24-year-old wide receiver has topped the 1,000-yard mark in each of the past two seasons, compiling 148 receptions for 2,120 yards and 13 touchdowns over that span.
The idea of trading him for future assets may make sense to some outside of the organization, but multiple sources laughed at the idea of Higgins playing anywhere else but Cincinnati in 2023.
He has one year left on his rookie contract and is set to make nearly $4 million next season, which makes him one of the best bargains in the NFL.
Trading him doesn't make sense for a team hoping to win a Super Bowl next season, regardless of how contract talks go this offseason.
"We’re going to need room for our quarterback, for our receivers and for some other people who are going to want to get paid at the top level, too," Bengals owner and president Mike Brown said in August . "We see the train coming [with Burrow]. Right with him are going to be the receivers [Higgins and Chase] pretty soon. They’re critical. And we have others that we like a lot and want to keep. I hope we can. We’re trying our best to keep the guys that we think are the very best players that we have."
Some fan bases may want their favorite team to trade for Higgins, but all signs point to him being a member of the Bengals next season.
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