Bengals WR Tee Higgins on long-term deal: 'I have no clue' - ESPN

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to terms on one massive deal. Another contract for a top playmaker seems like anything but certain.

On Friday, wide receiver Tee Higgins talked about the likelihood of getting a contract extension on his rookie deal that expires at the end of this season. A source with knowledge of the situation told ESPN that a long-term deal — at any point this season — appears unlikely for Higgins.

When asked if he expected negotiations to ramp up before Sunday's Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns, Higgins said he didn't know.

«I have no clue,» Higgins said. «My job is to come in every day and do what I do best — work and catch the ball from No. 9 (quarterback Joe Burrow).»

The comments came one day after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Bengals and Burrow had agreed to a five-year extension worth up to $275 million, with $219.1 million of that amount guaranteed. Burrow, who has dealt with a strained right calf since late July, will play at Cleveland, coach Zac Taylor said Friday.

Earlier in the year, Cincinnati picked up Burrow's fifth-year option, which means the new years on the contract wouldn't begin until 2025. Those team options are available only to players who are first-round draft picks. Burrow was taken first overall in 2020. Higgins was taken at the top of the second round in 2020.

There hasn't appeared to be much movement in recent weeks, if any, on a potential extension on Higgins' rookie deal, a source told ESPN. The fourth-year player out of Clemson is set to count just $4 million against the salary cap in 2023.

The lack of a deal is in contrast to comments Cincinnati director of player personnel Duke Tobin said at the NFL scouting combine. Amid speculation