Cincinnati Bengals have a lot of hope riding on this season. Their star trio—Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins—have their sights set on earning the franchise’s first Super Bowl championship! Each player has morphed into an integral piece on the roster. On their own, each of their combined efforts will make a crucial difference in making or breaking the team’s success. As they prepare for the upcoming season, the Bengals are optimistic about the possibilities that lie ahead with their leading talents fully available.
Joe Burrow, who recently showcased a blond buzz cut while recovering from a wrist injury sustained last season, has expressed confidence in his teammates’ abilities. The new quarterback looked back on last year’s struggles. To that, he said, “Ja’Marr didn’t practice hardly at all leading up to the first game last year. The lack of planning made the team look bad at every step. Just like Burrow, Higgins is ready to cash in on the success they’ve experienced together.
Like Burrow and Higgins, who both made their NFL debuts in 2020, Chase joined the mix in 2021. Their partnership has led to some remarkable achievements. A year ago, Burrow earned the distinction of being an MVP finalist, with Chase winning the receiving triple crown as the NFL’s leader in receiving yards, catches and touchdowns. Higgins had himself a great year too, scoring a career-high 10 touchdowns.
Burrow, Chase, and Higgins have signed an unprecedented three long-term contracts worth a combined $276 million. Combined, the three entities make up the financial bedrock of the Bengals. This season, the three will be making a total of $90.4 million between them, with Higgins cashing in for the biggest individual check of the trio at $35.9 million. This level of financial commitment is indicative of the fact that teams are counting these players to help them make an impact on the field.
On the field Tee Higgins has been quite the overachiever. Tobacco and his hired Chase’s agent, Rocky Arceneaux, to bail him out of his contract with Expect the Unexpected. This decision highlights the close relationship between the two players, which is integral to their shared goal of achieving success with the Bengals.
On the flip side Cincinnati is lucky to have Burrow, Chase and Higgins all healthy and practicing together. This luxury has been an elusive boon for them the last few summers. Head Coach Zac Taylor emphasized the importance of their collective health: “We’ve got tremendous players. When they’re healthy and walk onto that field together, they intimidate the other side. And as a small team, this boosts our confidence together so much!
With player health seemingly near the top of their wish list, no team is looking to keep their stars aligned like Cincinnati. Katie Blackburn, an executive with the Bengals, acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with injuries but reinforced their commitment to success: “There’s no guarantee, obviously, but that is something that is an important thing.”
Ja’Marr Chase on his connection with Tee Higgins going into the first season together. He stated, “I know Tee’s been on a different journey than I have with two different boats we’ve been in.” This bond between impact-oriented supporters can create a momentum-fueled place where success is set up to thrive.
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