Joe Burrow gets blunt on Bengals possibly not re-signing $21,816,000 Tee Higgins

Joe Burrow knows Tee Higgins very well. Besides currently playing together for the Cincinnati Bengals, they are from the same draft class (2020) and were part of a deadly quartet, alongside Joe Mixon and Ja'Marr Chase, that helped the franchise reach its first Super Bowl since the 1980s.

But amidst speculation regarding Higgins' future in the Queen City after playing out his $21.8-million franchise tag, the former #1 pick quarterback called him "a need" during press availability on Wednesday. He had a blunt take if the Bengals didn't resign Higgins.

“I'd be very disappointed. He’s very important. It’s not even just his production, it’s his presence, how he comes to work every day, how the defenses have to play us when he’s out there... I don’t think you can quite put a value on that.”

In related news, Higgins has parted ways with agent David Mulugheta, a source told the Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway:

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Joe Burrow is an MVP candidate, will eventually enter Hall of Fame - former OC

How good has Joe Burrow been in 2024?

He has thrown for 3,706 yards and 33 touchdowns - both league-highs. He has done so while completing fewer than 500 of his passes - a 68.4% rate, which is better than what he achieved in 2023 before he injured his wrist and needed a season-ending surgery.

And for his former offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, whose Tennessee Titans host the Bengals on Sunday, that warrants MVP consideration. The now-head coach said on Wednesday:

“I think Joe’s playing the position as good as anybody in the NFL right now... I can’t see anyone playing quarterback playing better than he is right now.”

But the praise did not stop there. Callahan also opined that Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase would one day be enshrined in Canton:

“I told them at some point, I’ll look back, and they’ll both be in the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame. I’ll get to say I was a part of their journey. They’ve only gotten better. It’s fun to watch and terrifying to get ready for.”

Kickoff for the Titans-Bengals game is at 1 PM ET/12 PM CT on Fox.