Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase have been missing from the OTAs on Tuesday. Thus, leaving the recently recovered Joe Burrow without his favorite receiver to practice with. The reason behind the evident absence isn’t confirmed yet. However, Chase is in the last year of his contract and will play through 2025 with a willingness to sign an extension with the team. Tee Higgins on the other hand is looking for a huge payday and as of now hasn’t signed his $21.8 million franchise tag.

Acknowledging this nonappearance, Emmanuel Acho of SPEAK questioned LeSean ‘Shady’ McCoy who has known the league closely for over a decade as a running back. Acho asked, “Is it a big deal that they’re absent at OTAs?” Shady’s answer was enough to confirm the doubts of any fans because the 2 X Super Bowl Champion did not hesitate in calling it indeed a “big deal.”

“Yes, it is. I would have said that it isn’t a big deal. It is the offseason, guys are just getting back. But, when I think about it. Joe Burrow has been hurt a lot lately. He is just getting back. He is finally cleared with no restrictions to do all the OTAs, practice and etc. Normally, the quarterback need to build with their receivers but they know each other so it is not a big deal. But, when your quarterback has been hurt, he hasn’t been playing and then your wide receivers right, who hasn’t been playing with you lately, they want to get back, reacquainted with you a little bit, and then both, not one but both, is out trying to get paid, yeah that’s a problem,” said McCoy.

The host further highlighted how Burrow has a problem because now, he would have to practice with his WR3, WR4, and RB. On top of that, the WR3, Tyler Boyd recently left the team to join the Tennessee Titans and the RB Joe Mixon will be playing for the Houston Texans in the coming season, which has left the quarterback with no choice but to practice with “new dudes.”

Boyd inked a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million, per ESPN. On the other hand, Joe Mixon has bagged a 3-year $25 million deal with the Texans after he helped the Cincinnati Bengals reach the Super Bowl. However, the main concern for the team might be their star receivers, Higgins had repeatedly requested a trade in the past and is not allowed to join the OTAs till he signs the franchise tag.

However, back in April, it was reported,” Bengals WR Tee Higgins told reporters at his youth camp today that he anticipates playing for Cincinnati in ’24 after previously requesting a trade,” according to Ben Baby, who covers the Bengals for ESPN. In addition, Jeremy Fowler replied to the post by adding, “The #Bengals have made clear behind the scenes they have no plans to trade Higgins. Want another run at a Super Bowl with Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins on the outside.”

Chase will earn a base salary of $1.05 million, has a roster bonus of $3.8 million, and carries a cap hit of $9.8 million. He had 100 receptions over 1,216 yards and 7 touchdowns in the 2023 season. Tee Higgins missed 4 games due to a Chest Rib fracture on October 1 last year and a thigh hamstring sprain on December 31. He had 656 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. Astonishingly, despite all the drama, coach Zac Taylor thinks that everything will turn out to be fine.

Zac Taylor on Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, Joe Burrow, and other missing pieces

The Bengals head coach has full confidence in his receivers. Even though they are not present, the coach believes that his receivers are taking care of business and working out independently.

“[They] are still working hard elsewhere, and they’ll be back at the right times,” said the coach and added, “And the beauty is we know those guys, we know what they’re about and that they’ll be ready and focused when it’s time to come back.” However, per a recent report, the receivers are not the only ones missing from the field.

The tackles Sheldon Rankins and Trent Brown have also been absent from the voluntary training. The good news, though, is that Joe Burrow is out and about. He is practicing with the receivers Trenton Irvin, Jermain Burton, Andrei Iosivas, and Charlie Jones. This is after he was cleared to practice.

“He’s been accurate,” the HC said of Burrow and added, “He’s been on time [with the ball]. He’s throwing with great velocity and power.” The mandatory training camp will start on June 11 and Higgins’ deadline is just around the corner. What would he do? Give us your predictions.