Tee Higgins Hopes to Stay with Bengals 'For a Long Time' Amid Contract Rumors

The Cincinnati Bengals have a talented young offensive core, but it will be difficult for them to keep so many star players together over the coming years.

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2023, was asked Thursday about his thoughts on the team's chances of keeping its core intact. He said he's hoping to remain in Cincinnati for the foreseeable future:

Like Higgins, Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow is also eligible for a contract extension this offseason. The team has until May 1 to decide whether to exercise Burrow's fifth-year option. Cincinnati star receiver Ja'Marr Chase becomes eligible for an extension after next season.

On Wednesday, Chase acknowledged to Cydney Henderson of USA Today that it would be tough for the Bengals to keep the band together, but he was hopeful that there aren't any big changes coming soon.

"It would be nice for Tee to be on the same side with me still as long as we can go," Chase said. "Somebody later down the line is going to have to do something for us to have this team stay together."