The saga between Tee Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals continued through the offseason and their franchise quarterback reflected on the situation.

After receiving the franchise tag, the former Clemson Tiger requested a trade. He’s set to make $21.8 million guaranteed in 2024, but a long term deal was the goal to begin with.

Higgins is a crucial piece in the Bengals offense and no one knows that better than Joe Burrow. When speaking with the media, he gave his thoughts on the situation for both Higgins and Trey Hendrickson, another key player that requested a trade.

“Those guys have their business they need to take care of. I support them in every way. Both those guys have earned everything that has come to them and more. I’ll support them all the way through it. Whatever they feel like is best for their career. That’s for them and their agents and their families to decide. But we are here to win football games. I really hope both those guys are here next year because we are a better football team with both of them. They are both great locker room guys, too. They are going to do what they’ve got to do, but when the time comes for them to come back, if that time comes, we are going to welcome them back and hit our stride.”

It’s a matter of Higgins getting the money he deserves. If Cincinnati isn’t willing to pay it, another franchise will offer him a long-term deal upwards of $25 million AAV.

That’s the price of elite wide receivers and Higgins is one with 257 catches for 3,684 yards and 24 touchdowns over four seasons. He’ll likely play under the tag this season, but Burrow and the Bengals are hoping this isn’t the end.