Bengals prep for 'challenge' of looming contract negotiations - ESPN

CINCINNATI — Bengals team president Mike Brown knows that contract negotiations are looming for some of the team's top players in coming years.

Quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Tee Higgins and linebacker Logan Wilson are all up for contract extensions this year, while two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is eligible for a new deal next year.

At the team's annual media luncheon, Brown said keeping all of the team's top players could be a challenge given the salary cap constraints.

«We have some good players that need to be fed,» Brown said. «That's a challenge. It's mathematical. You get a bag of corn and you have 10 hogs. Well, you're going to put that out to them. The bag's going to be empty. And some of them aren't going to get it.»

Burrow is entering his fourth year in the NFL and is coming off his best season as a pro. In 2022, Burrow was 10th in Total QBR and was third in completion percentage over expectation, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

Throughout the offseason, both sides have remained mum on Burrow's contract situation. Brown and team director of player personnel Duke Tobin did not divulge any specifics on the contract status for the franchise quarterback.

«I have bound myself not to talk about Joe's contract,» Brown said on Monday. «I don't think it's helpful for the negotiations. The other side has made the same commitment and they have not broken it.»

According to the team, Burrow was present when rookies conducted their first drills of training camp on Sunday. Veterans are scheduled to report for camp on Tuesday, with the first practice slated for Wednesday.

Higgins has amassed 3,028 receiving yards in his first three seasons and participated in the team's voluntary workouts