Oh, Joe Burrow! This will not please you or the Who Dey Nation, who are eagerly waiting for some good news on Tee Higgins’ future. After failing to secure a postseason ticket even after going on a 5-game-winning streak, it seems the Bengals could fall sort of another goal. And that’s something which could hurt them next season. Their approach to Tee Higgins’ contract could soon blow up in the face of the Bengals.

See, Cincinnati isn’t a franchise that likes to hand out those ground-breaking deals. Yeah, you could use the example of Burrow’s $275 million contract to argue. However, that is their only true investment. And the way things are progressing with Tee Higgins’ contract. The Bengals aren’t really interested in breaking the bank on their enigmatic receiver. On Wednesday, the Bengals’ director of player personnel, Duke Tobin, gave a blunt update on Higgins’ contract extension.

“It’s going to be hard. We feel like we have the resources to do it. But it all depends on how the negotiation goes and whether they’re willing to accept wanting to come back at a number that makes sense for everybody.” Like are the Bengals really taking Tee Higgins’ contract negotiations for granted? This is a receiver who caught 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 TDs. Well, those numbers may seem less. But that’s the tally from just 12 games he played this season. And within those 12 games, the Bengals secured 8 dubs with Higgins fit.

So, his importance to the team cannot be questioned, no matter how many games he missed. Even Burrow spoke openly in favor of Tee Higgins’ return to Cincinnati next season: “I know that I’m going to do what it takes to get him back and so is he. We’ve had those talks. Those are going to be offseason discussions. But I think we’re excited about that opportunity.” However, those weren’t the only things Burrow said about Higgins getting his extension. He also claimed, “Tee is a need,” and he would be very disappointed not to find him returning to Cincinnati in 2025.

But maybe the Bengals already have a replacement lined up in case Tee Higgins doesn’t stay. With the NFL draft coming soon, a mock draft conducted by Bucky Brooks could give you an idea of who the next man could be after Tee Higgins.

Joe Burrow’s Bengals offered a possible alternate route to keep the offense competitive

Well, how can you possibly replace a player like Tee Higgins? The Bengals 5-year veteran receiver has 330 receptions and 34 TDs to his name. Those numbers aren’t easily replaceable wherever you go. However, Bucky Brooks’s NFL mock draft believes they could get some respite by selecting Michigan TE Colston Loveland: “If the Bengals lose Tee Higgins in free agency. The addition of a big-bodied tight end with dynamic receiving skills could help Joe Burrow continue to flourish as a passer.” 

See, Loveland could be a game-changer for the Bengals if they do miss out on Higgins’ extension. In his 3 seasons with Michigan, Loveland has racked up 117 receptions for 1,466 receiving yards with 11 TDs. And the thing that makes Loveland’s addition a no-brainer would be his reliable hands. Out of his 82 targets last season, the Michigan TE only dropped 2 of his passes. That’s something the Bengals could capitalize on nail-biting plays.

So, Loveland’s addition could probably give the Bengals that extra edge in tight situations. But right now, everything is just ifs and buts for the Bengals. Whatever they do, Tee Higgins should be the priority. If he doesn’t stick around, then only the Bengals could focus on other targets.