So, the Bengals can get deals done, oh what a surprise!!! Judging by their offseason dealings, where Ja’Marr Chase (Triple crown winner) has yet to get a new deal, Trey Hendrickson (NFL sack leader) found himself on the trading block, and Tee Higgins got franchise tagged (yet again). The Bengals’ offseason, which was supposed to be busy, looks a mess. But it looks they are finally learning how to do things right. Their latest move to secure a key piece in Joe Burrow’s offense might be a teaser of something big the Bengals are probably plotting in secrecy. Like a true predator in the Jungle!!

They have just announced a one-year deal for TE Tanner Hudson. It isn’t much, but it is still enough to keep him in the Jungle for another season. However, in light of a one-year deal, Hudson would still have to fight for his spot on the 53-man roster. So, his future with the Bengals isn’t completely secured. Actually, you cannot really blame the Bengals for giving Hudson a deal like this. He has been with the team since late 2022 after getting waived from the New York Giants. 

But in his two-year stay, Hudson has only started a single game while appearing in 23. And over that period, he caught 58 passes for 506 yards and only two TDs. Entering his 6th year in the league, Hudson’s best season came in 2024, where he finished with 39 receptions for 352 yards and only a single TD. So, of course, the Bengals have seen some improvement in Hudson’s production. Maybe that’s why they decided to keep him in Cincinnati. However, there could be another reason why the Bengals decided to stick with Hudson.

Their best TE last season, Mike Gesicki, is all set to hit the free agency market. Gesicki was coming off a good season, at least numbers-wise, hauling in 42 receptions for 460 receiving yards. Considering Burrow had a good rapport with Gesicki, who knows, maybe the Bengals will also find a way to keep him on board. But moving away from TE to the receivers, it seems the Bengals are still playing with the future of Tee Higgins. Even after franchise tagging him, the Bengals continue to receive offers.

Tee Higgins’ future still remains a concern for the Bengals

This drama surrounding the Bengals trying to secure Tee Higgins’ future was somewhat stalled after they decided to franchise tag him for a second year in a row. Given that the Bengals are expected to make Chase the highest-paid receiver ever in the league, it’s unlikely they will dish out another mammoth deal to Higgins. Maybe that’s why they chose to franchise tag him while continuing to work on the Chase contract. And while they are doing so, some of the franchises have kind of smelled what’s going on.

Still, they are knocking on the Bengals’ door in hopes of trading for Higgins. However, the Bengals are adamant that Higgins is not for trade. But is it actually possible to fulfil Burrow’s wishes of running it back with Chase, Higgins, and Hendrickson all on the roster? Seeing their cap situation, the Bengals could probably be thinking ‘Joe, it’s a pretty tough trick for us to pull out, you know.’ Now, if Higgins decides to take the offer that the Bengals plan to give him then Burrow’s dream could be fulfilled.

Yet again, we ask ourselves if he will really take a low-ball offer considering the rise in receivers’ contract year-on-year. Well, only time will tell what will come out of this never-ending Higgins and Bengals contractual drama. Either Burrow will lose one of his offensive weapons, or he will get the last laugh. Anything could happen in the next few months. But one thing is for sure. This offseason the Bengals are offering us contractual twists that are similar to Christopher Nolan’s scripts.