Team news: Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals would like to get receiver Ja’Marr Chase signed to a second contract at some point, though it’s unlikely to happen this season.

It’s become more and more clear, however, that the team is planning to move on from Tee Higgins after 2024.

Related players: Jermaine Burton

Higgins signed his franchise tender in June and the two sides unsurprisingly did not reach a long-term deal by last week’s deadline. On Monday, Bengals owner Mike Brown noted the salary cap when explaining why Cincinnati has not signed Higgins to an extension, the story went on to say. For those in dynasty leagues, or for those who just like to look ahead, the rookie Burton could be the one who eventually slides into the WR2 role if in fact the Bengals move on from Higgins after this season.

A contract extension for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase may not be imminent, team president Mike Brown indicated Monday.

At the team's annual media luncheon, Brown was asked whether negotiations will continue into the regular season. While the longtime head executive said, "opportunities can arise unexpectedly" and the team is open to agreeing to a deal if it is right for the club, conditions aren't currently ideal to sign Chase to a contract extension as veterans prepare to report for camp on Tuesday.

Related players: Tee Higgins

Both Chase and Higgins are looking for new contracts. There have been a few reports out about Chase today, and earlier there was one that said the team will "bend over backwards" to keep Chase in Cincy. Brown added Chase is "the next one" to get signed and "he knows that," however it doesn't sound like it will happen soon.

Zac Taylor just told the Bengals local media that QB Joe Burrow has been fully cleared for contact

Paul Dehner added in a similar post that Burrow, and the rest of the starters, will get playing time this preseason, according to Taylor. The post added Taylor said he will continue to be proactive in easing Burrow through camp with eyes on being in top form closer to season.

Breaking: Tee Higgins has signed his franchise tag. He is expected to report for training camp when it begins.

Related Players: Ja'Marr Chase, Jermaine Burton, Andrei Iosivas, Trenton Irwin

So, the mini-holdout has come to its end, and Higgins will suit up for the Bengals in 2024. No word yet on an extension, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Higgins should be considered a borderline WR2/3 for fantasy purposes.

Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase, who has skipped OTAs and wants a new contract, is present for mandatory minicamp. He was there for media day yesterday and is in the building today.

A follow-up report mentioned that Tee Higgins is not currently attending, so the Cincy WR drama isn't quite over. After Justin Jefferson's recent blockbuster deal, Chase should be getting a similar treatment sooner or later.

Bengals franchise-tagged wide receiver Tee Higgins, who requested to be traded last month, anticipates playing for Cincinnati in 2024, he told reporters Sunday at his youth football camp.

Related Players: Ja'Marr Chase, Trenton Irwin, Andrei Iosivas

While Higgins, understandably, wants to find a lucrative contract, he will be set for a big payday in 2025 on the open market if he plays out the franchise tag in '24. The Bengals are expected to add another pass-catcher through the NFL Draft, and that could come in the first round.

Plot twist: The Bengals are now trading Joe Mixon to the Texans, rather than releasing him. So Zack Moss signs in Cincy, Mixon is traded to Houston. From Joe Burrow to C.J. Stroud.

Related Players: Dameon Pierce

Dameon Pierce has been woefully inefficient with his touches during his first two seasons in Houston, which led to Devin Singletary snatching his job away from him last year. He is unlikely to get in the way of Mixon taking over the majority of the workload. This is a best-possible-scenario for Mixon after leaving the Bengals and brings him right back into fantasy relevance as a pass-catcher on a great offense.

Former Patriots TE Mike Gesicki is signing a one-year deal worth up to $3.25 million with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Related Players: Drew Sample

This is the best landing spot Gesicki could have asked for, as Drew Sample —a blocking TE— is the only other player on the roster at the position. This won't preclude the Bengals from drafting someone, but as it stands, Gesicki could be on streaming radars by the time the season starts.

It's the end of an era in Cincinnati, where Joe Mixon spent seven seasons, ran for 49 touchdowns, and was part of a Super Bowl team. Now, both sides move on, with Zack Moss joining the Bengals and Mixon headed to free agency.

Related Players: Chase Brown

The Bengals looked like they would prefer a committee approach towards the end of last season, and that's likely what is going to happen heading into 2024, with Moss operating as the main piece. He won't have the upside of Mixon because of that usage, but he should still be considered a top-25 option, with Brown a little bit behind that.

Bengals franchise WR Tee Higgins has requested a trade, per sources. Higgins loves Cincinnati and hoped to be with the team long term, but is disappointed that the team has not had any talks about a long-term contract extension since March 2023. He’s ready to move on to a new home.

Related Players: Ja'Marr Chase

If Higgins does get shipped, it will almost assuredly be a negative for his 2024 fantasy outlook. The splits with and without Higgins for Chase have been minuscule, so we don't expect much of an upgrade if his running mate leaves town.