Joe Burrow

Bengals’ Joe Burrow To Undergo Toe Surgery

September 15th, 2025 at 8:36am CST by Adam La Rose

Joe Burrow‘s turf toe led to overnight concerns about surgery being necessary. The Bengals passer will indeed take that route, meaning a lengthy absence is in store.

Burrow is set to undergo surgery on his injured toe, as first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Multiple opinions were sought out before this decision was made, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network adds there was a consensus amongst the experts consulted. An absence of at least three months is expected while Burrow recovers.

Midway through the Bengals’ Week 2 game, Burrow injured his toe while being sacked. The two-time Pro Bowler was later seen on crutches and in a walking boot, creating the possibility of a long-term spell on the shelf. Burrow has a history of injuries throughout his Bengals career, and today’s news confirms his track record in that regard will expand.

The 28-year-old is in danger of missing most of the season’s remainder, if not the rest of the campaign in its entirety. As a result, Cincinnati’s outlook for 2025 has been dealt a blow. The team is 2-0 following Sunday’s comeback win over Jacksonville, but backup Jake Browning will now be counted on to lead the way on offense. The Bengals’ defense faced questions entering the season – even with Trey Hendrickson‘s hold-in being ended via a raise covering 2025 – but that unit will be required to deliver strong performances on a consistent basis moving forward.

Burrow, 28, has won the Comeback Player of the Year award twice (2021, 2024) as a sign of his ability to perform among the league’s best when healthy. He led the NFL in passing yards (4,918) and touchdowns (43) last year, and expectations remained high for Cincinnati’s offense with wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins signing joint extensions this spring. Their futures are in place beyond 2025, and Burrow is on the books through 2029.

In the immediate term, though, attention will turn to Browning and his ability to guide the Bengals on offense. The former UDFA made his 13th regular season appearance yesterday, each of which have come with Cincinnati. Browning went 21-of-32 for 241 yards and a pair of touchdowns (while also rushing for the game-winning score). He did throw three interceptions, however, so ball protection will be a priority over the coming games. During a seven-game span filling in for Burrow in 2023, Browning compiled a 4-3 record and a 12:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Browning is currently the only healthy passer on the Bengals’ active roster. Brett Rypien is in place on the practice squad, so it would be feasible for him to be promoted in the near future. Logan Woodside was with the Bengals early this offseason before being cut in July. That move came about after Desmond Ridder was signed, although the former Falcon and Raider was among the team’s final roster cuts.

To no surprise, Schefter adds the Bengals are making contact with free agent quarterbacks knowing Burrow will be sidelined for an extended period. Ridder is on the market, and he could be a (somewhat) familiar face for the organization regarding an in-season addition. With over $12MM in cap space, Cincinnati could afford a low-cost addition under center. With Ridder or another passer in place to back up Browning, however, the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs will be decidedly lowered. Burrow, meanwhile, now faces another lengthy recovery outlook.

Long Absence Feared For Bengals’ Joe Burrow

September 14th, 2025 at 11:04pm CST by Ely Allen

Updates continue to pour in on the toe injury suffered by Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow. The toe injury was confirmed to be turf toe with speculation that several weeks could be up in the air for the sixth-year passer. At this point, each update seems to paint a darker picture.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to provide new information, reporting that images of the 28-year-old quarterback’s turf toe injury were “being sent to noted foot specialist” Dr. Robert Anderson to be reviewed. Schefter noted that, should surgery be necessary, a three-month absence would be expected for Burrow, who was seen in a walking boot and on crutches after leaving today’s game. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports was the next to add on that Burrow is undergoing additional tests and that Cincinnati expects to have full details Monday.

NFL Network’s duo of Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero closely followed with the specifics that Burrow “is feared to have suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury,” that the injury was severe with torn ligaments, and that it would likely require surgery, keeping in line with Schefter’s three-month timeline.

Local beat reporter Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer noted that, with Grade 3 turf toe injuries often estimated with two- to six-month recovery timelines, Burrow’s situation is brutal but not the worst-case scenario.

In line with that thinking, Rapoport points out that three months from now is December 14. That date coincides with the Bengals’ Week 15 game against the Ravens. If backup quarterback Jake Browning can keep Cincinnati anywhere near the playoff chase in Burrow’s absence, Burrow may be able to return in time to play three or four games to get back into potential playoff shape. That would require a lot of things to go incredibly right for the Bengals, but all hope may not be lost.

Browning has been with the team since 2021, winning the primary backup job — and, with it, a spot on the 53-man roster — in 2023. That year, unfortunately, saw Burrow go down with a season-ending wrist injury, and Browning came in to finish out the season. After a 5-5 start with Burrow under center, the Bengals finished 4-3 over their last seven games of the season as Browning led them to a 9-8 final record. Browning proved to be a reliable backup in that stretch of games, completing 70.4 percent of his passes for 12 touchdowns.

Browning will be tested immediately as the Bengals embark on a five-game stretch of 2024 playoff teams with the Vikings, Broncos, Lions, Packers, and Steelers immediately on the horizon. If Browning and his arsenal of offensive weapons can keep the team above water, there’s a chance he may be able to hand the keys back to Burrow in time for a potential playoff run. That’s what the Bengals will be focusing on if they receive bad news tomorrow.

Bengals’ Joe Burrow Diagnosed With Turf Toe

September 14th, 2025 at 6:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

6:09 PM: Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Burrow has been diagnosed with turf toe. What this means for his availability to play will depend on the severity of the injury. Minor sprains can be overcome in just a few days’ time, while more serious sprains can require multiple weeks of recovery and even worse iterations can require surgery and a recovery timeline measured by months.

Rapoport cites Jeremy Rauch of FOX19 who in turn cites a source that claimed the injury is believed to involve torn ligaments, which could mean an absence of “several weeks” for Cincinnati’s QB1. The Bengals are the only NFL team with an MRI machine in their stadium, so they should have a good idea of his outlook, but they haven’t revealed much to the media at this point in time.

3:09 PM: The Bengals’ efforts to improve to 2-0 have hit a notable roadblock. Quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a toe injury midway through the second quarter of today’s game against the Jaguars.

The injury occurred while Burrow was attempting to avoid pressure. The play resulted in a sack, and after receiving medical attention he walked off the field. Burrow was initially listed as questionable to return, but he has since officially been ruled out.

Burrow underwent an MRI shortly after suffering the injury. Once it was completed, the 28-year-old was seen using a scooter to return to the locker room with his left leg elevated (h/t FOX19’s Joe Danneman). Needless to say, further testing and updates will be critical in this situation over the coming days.

Throughout his decorated career, injuries have been a concern for Burrow. The former No. 1 pick suffered an ACL tear during his rookie season; he has also missed time due to a calf strain and a ruptured ligament in his wrist last season. During the Bengals’ Super Bowl loss, Burrow suffered an MCL sprain. If this latest ailment leads to more missed games, Cincinnati’s offense will be notably shorthanded.

The Bengals made an effort to buck the trend of slow starts early in regular seasons by playing Burrow and other key players during the preseason. That did not result in a productive outing in Week 1, although Cincinnati emerged with a one-point victory over Cleveland. Prior to going down today, Burrow completed seven of 13 pass attempts for 76 yards and one touchdown.

Backup Jake Browning has taken over under center. The 29-year-old made nine appearances and seven starts last season, completing a league-best 70.4% of his pass attempts. Browning has been in the organization since 2021, and he inked a two-year deal last spring. As a pending free agent, his performances will be key in determining his value on the open market (if he reaches it). Depending on Burrow’s outlook, Browning may be needed beyond the closing stages of today’s game.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow Says Throwing Wrist Still Not 100%

July 6th, 2025 at 8:20am CST by Rory Parks

Much of the discussion surrounding the Bengals this offseason has been focused upon new deals for wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson (the Hendrickson matter continues to drag on with no obvious end in sight). Star quarterback Joe Burrow, meanwhile, has taken advantage of his status with the franchise and in the league to advocate for extensions for Higgins – who once appeared unlikely to stay in Cincinnati given the investment the club knew it would be making in Chase – and Hendrickson.

During mandatory minicamp last month, Burrow also talked about his own performance and his hopes for the upcoming campaign. Interestingly, he said the torn ligament he suffered in his right (throwing) wrist in November of 2023, which ended that season prematurely, continued to impact him last year.

“I think I talked about it last year – I still wasn’t quite back to throwing it the way that I expect,” Burrow said (via SI.com’s Jay Morrison). “It’s improved this year, and it will continue to improve. As long as I keep making those reps, taking the extra time to get that rhythm back, it will continue to improve.”

Those comments are surprising for several reasons. One, even though the timing and nature of the injury threatened Burrow’s availability for the Bengals’ offseason program in 2024, the two-time Pro Bowler was already throwing by early May of 2024. Additionally, Burrow was terrific last season, leading the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns while throwing just nine interceptions in a full slate of games. He did that while maintaining a 70.6% completion percentage and finishing third in the NFL in both quarterback rating (108.5) and QBR (74.7).

That performance led to a fourth-place finish in MVP voting, which may have been impacted by the fact that Cincinnati did not qualify for the playoffs. Still, the team would surely sign up for a repeat of his 2024 showing, albeit with more success in the win-loss department.

The Bengals’ inability to return to the postseason over the past two years is partially attributable to their poor starts. The club lost its first two contests of the 2023 slate and its first three games in 2024 and eventually proved unable to make up that ground. Morrison suggests those slow starts, in turn, were a function of Burrow’s health.

The former Heisman Trophy winner suffered a calf strain in training camp in 2023 and did not post a QB rating over 85.6 until Week 5 of that season. Last year, of course, he was still dealing with wrist rehab, but his play was mostly elite from Week 2 onward, despite the nagging wrist issue.

While acknowledging his team’s need to avoid digging an early hole, Burrow noted his wrist continues to heal.

“We’re getting there,” he said. “I think I’m learning new things every single day and refining my motion, refining everything about what I’m doing out there. That’s exciting for me to feel that improvement.”

When asked how he would handle the layoff between the end of mandatory minicamp last month and training camp, which opens on July 23, Burrow added, “I’m feeling good right now. I’ll just take it as my body’s telling me. If I need a couple days off, I’m gonna take a couple days off. But I’m feeling good, and we’ll keep grinding and take it day by day.”

As the Hendrickson dilemma dominates Bengals-related headlines and invites increased scrutiny of the team’s negotiation practices, Cincinnati at least knows it has an enviable quarterback situation, one that theoretically could get even better as Burrow’s wrist gets better.

Largest 2025 Cap Hits: Offense

July 1st, 2025 at 10:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

Last offseason brought about a record-breaking jump in the salary cap. This year, the ceiling rose to $279.2MM, another notable spike. The market at a number of positions will benefit from the ongoing surge in spending power available to teams, with quarterbacks obviously the largest standout in that respect.

In 2024, a pair of signal-callers surpassed the $50MM mark in terms of cap charges for the season. That will not be the case this time around, but to little surprise quarterbacks once again lead the way in terms of representing the largest share of many teams’ financial commitments for 2025. Positions such as receiver and offensive tackle have also generally not reached the same peak in terms of cap commitments as last year.

Leading up to training camp, are the NFL’s top 25 cap charges for offensive players:

Dak Prescott, QB (Cowboys): $50.52MM
Matthew Stafford, QB (Rams): $47.47MM
Joe Burrow, QB (Bengals): $46MM
Lamar Jackson, QB (Ravens): $43.5MM
Kyler Murray, QB (Cardinals): $43.33MM
Kirk Cousins, QB (Falcons): $40MM
Geno Smith, QB (Raiders): $40MM
Tua Tagovailoa, QB (Dolphins): $39.18MM
Justin Herbert, QB (Chargers): $37.35MM
Josh Allen, QB (Bills): $36.34MM
Deshaun Watson, QB (Browns): $35.97MM
Jared Goff, QB (Lions): $32.6MM
Taylor Moton, RT (Panthers): $31.35MM
Jordan Love, QB (Packers): $29.69MM
Patrick Mahomes, QB (Chiefs): $28.06MM
Calvin Ridley, WR (Titans): $28MM
Tyreek Hill, WR (Dolphins): $27.7MM
Jawaan Taylor, RT (Chiefs): $27.39MM
Baker Mayfield, QB (Buccaneers): $26.48MM
Terry McLaurin, WR (Commanders): $25.5MM
Mike Evans, WR (Buccaneers): $25.36MM
D.J. Moore, WR (Bears): $24.9MM
Tee Higgins, WR (Bengals): $24.06MM
Ja’Marr Chase, WR (Bengals): $23.57MM
Trey Smith, RG (Chiefs): $23.4MM

Prescott’s last-minute 2024 Cowboys extension made him the first player in NFL history to carry an AAV of $60MM. That pact will have lasting impacts well beyond the coming campaign, as the team looks to also fit in the big-ticket extension CeeDee Lamb inked last summer and the one Micah Parsons is in position to sign at some point before Week 1.

Once again, Stafford and the Rams entered the spring with plenty of uncertainty. Retirement was a consideration quickly done away with in the case of the 37-year-old, but it remained to be seen if he would remain in Los Angeles. Trade offers came in from numerous suitors, and the chance existed for Stafford to land a more lucrative deal elsewhere. In the end, though, team and player reached agreement on another reworked pact. Stafford is now in line to receive $84MM over the next two years, including guaranteed money in 2026. A bit of continuity will thus be in place under center for the Rams.

2020 draft classmates Burrow, Tagovailoa and Herbert are understandable top-10 players on this list given their respective deals. All three are on the books for years to come as they look to unseat the Chiefs atop the AFC. Burrow spoke about restructuring his pact to create the cap space necessary for the Bengals to retain or extend each of their key in-house players this offseason. That has yet to take place, and it will be interesting to see if a reworking is explored while talks on the Trey Hendrickson front continue.

The Ravens have worked out a few extensions on offense already (Derrick Henry, Rashod Bateman) but Jackson looms as a candidate for a new deal. Three years remain on his pact, but starting in 2026 his cap charge is scheduled so spike well past its current figure. The two-time MVP has discussed a new arrangement this offseason, and a bump in guarantees and overall compensation similar to what the Bills did with Allen would come as no surprise.

Cousins’ figure stands out, of course, given the fact he is slated to operate as Atlanta’s backup this season. With no release coming and no trade imminent, the four-time Pro Bowler is set to stay in place behind Michael Penix Jr. Cousins has made progress in his rehab from shoulder and ankle injuries suffered prior to his benching midway through his debut Atlanta season. With $10MM already guaranteed for next year, it will be interesting to see if a trade market develops in the coming months in his case.

With the exception of Watson – whose second Achilles tear is set to sideline him for most or all of the coming campaign – the remaining quarterbacks on the list are positioned to serve as starters for their respective teams. Only Geno Smith will be suiting up for a new organization after he was traded from the Seahawks to the Raiders. That swap was followed up by a two-year, $75MM extension and allowed him to reunite with head coach Pete Carroll. A short-term upgrade under center will be key as Vegas looks to find stability on the sidelines and in the front office.

Moton’s cap figure was a talking point earlier this offseason, but the Panthers are content to avoid a fourth restructure in his case. The pending free agent hopes to finish his career in Carolina, but an extension would have helped ensure that while lowering his immediate cap charge. In the absence of such an agreement, it will be interesting to see if Moton, 30, can deliver another strong showing in 2025.

Ridley is perhaps a surprising figure to lead the way in terms of cap charges at the receiver spot. He will operate as a key member of the Titans’ offense, a unit whose success will of course depend in large part on the play of rookie Cam Ward. Ridley has two more years left on his deal beyond 2025, but with limited guarantees owed over that span his Tennessee future could be greatly impacted by who this season plays out.

The likes of Hill, Evans and Moore are not currently the subject of speculation regarding their future. McLaurin, however, was absent from much of the Commanders’ spring practices with little progress being made at the negotiating table. Plenty of work is still required at this point to avoid a potential free agent departure next spring. Coming off a career-high in touchdowns while thriving alongside Jayden Daniels, the two-time Pro Bowler is in line for a raise which will likely lower his cap hit this season.

Chase and Higgins inked their deals simultaneously, putting an end to questions regarding where the latter in particular would play on his second contract. Those two, together with Burrow, will serve as foundational players for years to come in Cincinnati. It will be interesting to see how long Chase (with an AAV of $40.25MM) remains the league’s top earner in that respect for non-quarterbacks.

Kansas City’s offensive line faces questions entering the season. Despite his big-ticket contract, Taylor is not a lock to remain a starter at this point. With no guaranteed left on the final year of his deal (2026), a parting of ways could be in store next spring if a backup gig ensues. Trey Smith, meanwhile, remains attached to the franchise tag although an extension is among the team’s remaining offseason priorities.

Joe Burrow Endorses Potential Trey Hendrickson Extension

May 20th, 2025 at 10:19pm CST by Ben Levine

Joe Burrow‘s influence on the Bengals organization was clearly highlighted this offseason, as the QB got his wish when Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were both signed to long-term extensions. Burrow also made it clear that he wanted star defender Trey Hendrickson to receive a new deal, although a lack of progress on that front has already led to public frustration and a potential holdout.

While speaking with reporters today, Burrow once again stated that he wanted the Bengals defensive leader to stick in Cincy for the long haul. The QB also said he supports Hendrickson’s decision to not participate in team activities while extension talks are ongoing.

“Yeah, we’ll see what happens with that,” Burrow said (via Myles Simmons of ProFootballTalk.com). “You guys all know how I feel about Trey. He’s a great player. I love Trey as a guy. He goes out and plays well every single Sunday. He’s very productive. He’s a guy that deserves to get paid and get paid what he wants and what the market is. So, like I said, we’ll see what happens with that. But, I love Trey and hope he’s with us.

“I think he’s doing what he thinks is best for his career and I support him in that,” Burrow added. “Trey’s a smart guy. Just like anybody, I’m sure there’s things that he’d like to have back. But he’s very well thought out in his process and what he’s trying to do. And so, if he thinks that’s the way to go, then that’s the way to go.”

As part of a one-year, $21MM extension he signed in 2023, Hendrickson is due a $15.8MM base salary this season. After finishing second in Defensive Player of the Year voting in 2024, the pass rusher is naturally seeking more long-term security and a top-of-position average annual value. While the Bengals were willing to break from tradition with Burrow, Chase, and Higgins, the organization isn’t willing to commit significant guarantees beyond the 2025 season to Hendrickson.

The 30-year-old showed up for the second phase of offseason workouts last week in street clothes, and he reiterated his stance that negotiations have gotten “personal” and he won’t be playing for the Bengals under his current pact. Hendrickson noted to reporters that Zac Taylor threatened fines for eventually missing mandatory practices, and the coach did acknowledge today that he’s since spoken with his defensive star.

“I put a lot of time into thinking — those situations, there’s real money at stake,” Taylor said (via Simmons). “So I put a lot of time and energy into thinking about how to communicate, when to communicate. And so, that’s just how I handled that one. And, yeah, Trey and I have spoken.

“I think every situation is unique,” Taylor added. “Every personality is different, every player is different. The timing of everything is different. So, you just adapt as you go with that stuff.”

Joe Burrow Addresses Bengals’ Pending Decisions On Tee Higgins, Trey Hendrickson

February 6th, 2025 at 2:35pm CST by Adam La Rose

Joe Burrow is on the books for the foreseeable future, but plenty of uncertainty currently surrounds the outlook for many other key Bengals players. Cincinnati’s franchise passer spoke on Thursday about the team’s financial situation and his role in helping to keep existing the core intact.

Tee Higgins highlights the list of pending Bengals free agents, and Burrow has repeatedly made it clear he views keeping him in place as a vital offseason priority. Higgins is by far the most attractive option set to hit the market at the receiver position, however, and he could approach or even surpass $30MM on a new contract. Retaining the 26-year-old at market value will be challenging given the looming mega-extension which the Bengals were unable to work out with Ja’Marr Chase last offseason.

Burrow also mentioned tight end Mike Gesicki as a pass catcher whom the Bengals should work to retain. The veteran inked a one-year, $2.5MM pact in free agency last year and had a strong debut Cincinnati campaign (65 catches, 665 yards, two touchdowns). He has likely earned a raise as a result, but the same is also true of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. The 2024 sack leader once again finds himself set to negotiate a more lucrative Bengals pact or entertain the idea of being traded. Burrow said keeping Hendrickson in place will be critical this offseason, while acknowledging a raise will be needed to do so.

“The cap is going up each year,” the former No. 1 pick added during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take (via Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer). “We just got new TV deals. And, you know, we all want to stay together, so we’re all going to do what it takes to do that… They’re going to be paid what they’re worth, whether we do it or somebody else. I hope we do it.”

For his part, Burrow also indicated during an appearance on Up & Adams (video link) that he would be willing to restructure his pact to create additional 2025 cap space for the Bengals. As things stand, he is set to carry a $46.25MM cap charge next season; while Cincinnati is projected to sit in the top 10 in cap space this year, lowering that figure would certainly make new deals for Higgins and/or Hendrickson more feasible. It will be interesting to see how Burrow and the Bengals operate over the coming weeks in advance of the new league year in March.

AFC North Notes: Garrett, Bengals, Ravens

January 16th, 2025 at 4:46pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Myles Garrett made it clear before the end of the regular season that he has no intention of playing through another rebuild in Cleveland. Crucially, Garrett has asked the Browns for a concrete plan at quarterback after their disastrous 2022 trade for Deshaun Watson crippled the offense for much of the last three seasons. On the latest episode of Hard Knocks: In Season With the AFC North, Garrett revealed that he has discussed the Browns’ future with general manager Andrew Berry, who agreed that changes need to be made. The conversation appears to have warmed Garrett to the team’s direction.

“How are we gonna make the most of all the talent that is here?,” Garrett said. “We’re closer than some may think we are.”

Garrett has somewhat of a point. The Browns’ 3-14 record doesn’t reflect the talent of their roster, but it does represent their rudderless quarterback situation. In 2025, defenders like Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome will be back from injuries, while offensive playmakers like Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku can build on solid 2024 seasons.

Watson, meanwhile, re-tore his Achilles and could miss the entire season. The only Browns quarterback under contract in 2025 is former fifth-rounder Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who is 1-4 as a starter with a career passer rating of 45.2 and completion rate of 52.6%. Bailey Zappe will be easy to retain as a restricted free agent, but he is a marginal upgrade on Thompson-Robinson at best.

The Browns will have to convince Garrett (signed through the 2026 season at $25MM per year) that they have a plan under center moving forward. Otherwise, he could demand a trade to facilitate his way out of Cleveland. Here is the latest from the AFC North:

The Browns are facing a pivotal offseason for another longtime player: running back Nick Chubb. Berry made it clear that the team values Chubb and his contributions to the Browns over the seven years, but admitted that his pending free agency was a “challenging situation,” per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Last offseason, when Chubb was under contract and recovering from his season-ending knee injury, the Browns got him to take a pay cut. Chubb is once again rehabbing an injury – this time a broken foot – but it shouldn’t cost him any of the 2025 season. That will give him more leverage in free agency negotiations, whether that be with the Browns or another team. Though, Chubb’s back-to-back injury-marred seasons will not help the former perennial Pro Bowler.
Two of Cleveland’s young defenders are facing uphill battles to be ready by training camp. Berry is expecting a “months-long” recovery for Michael Hall after his right knee injury, which could involve surgery, per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. The status of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah remains unclear, but Berry “hopes” he can play in 2025, according to Zac Jackson of The Athletic.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is continuing to push his team to re-sign Tee Higgins. “You just can’t let him outside of the building,” he said, per ESPN’s Ben Baby. Burrow has repeatedly told the media that he wants Higgins to stay in Cincinnati, sending a clear message to team decision-makers in the process.
While the Bengals would have to pony up significant money for Higgins – potentially in the region of $30MM per year – they won’t have to pay at the top of the market to retain offensive lineman Cody Ford. His multi-positional versatility is appreciated by the Bengals’ coaching staff, per The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., but he’s unlikely to command the salary of a starting offensive lineman.
Despite a career-high nine sacks in 2023 after signing with the Ravens off the street in September, no other team expressed interest in Kyle Van Noy during the 2024 offseason, per Dan Pompei of The Athletic. He re-signed with the Ravens on a two-year, $9MM deal and played through a fractured orbital socket to rank fourth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks. Doctors recommended surgery after the Week 1 injury, but Van Noy refused to miss a single game.

Joe Burrow To Lobby Bengals To Re-Sign Tee Higgins

December 10th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

With Ja’Marr Chase‘s run of monster games bolstering his case to surpass Justin Jefferson as the NFL’s highest-paid receiver, the prospect the Bengals separate their long-running wide receiver tandem increases. Higgins has long been expected to leave Cincinnati in 2025, be it in free agency or potentially via a tag-and-trade transaction.

The Bengals have Joe Burrow signed to the second-most lucrative quarterback deal, and Chase is playing his way toward a contract that will likely eclipse Jefferson’s $35MM-per-year pact. The Bengals have not seriously negotiated with Higgins since the first half of 2023, and in becoming the only team to tag a player this year and not extend him, the team cannot reenter talks with its No. 2 wideout until season’s end.

Signs point Higgins out of town, but Burrow said he will make a strong effort to see that his most experienced receiver stays. This could set up an interesting showdown, as the star quarterback obviously could wield significant influence in this matter and others involving personnel if he so chose.

“Those discussions are ongoing,” Burrow said (via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby) of a post-2024 future with Higgins. “I’m confident that I think we’re going to do what it takes to bring Tee back. I know that I’m going to do what it takes to get him back and so is he. We’ve had those talks. Those are going to be offseason discussions. But I think we’re excited about that opportunity.”

NFL rules prohibit Bengals brass from negotiating with Higgins, but Burrow can certainly lobby his five-year teammate to stay. That will be difficult to pull off, however. The Bengals’ Chase-over-Higgins preference in terms of extension priority has long been known, with the former’s All-Pro-level season only reinforcing that stance. Higgins, 25, also will not be likely to accept a hometown discount. The Bengals kept him out of free agency this year via the franchise tag, and if the team passes on a 2025 tag (as the early rumors indicated it would), the bet will be Higgins defects not long after the legal tampering period begins.

Higgins did say he will factor in his relationship with Burrow and the Bengals, but the team made him a lowball offer in 2023 — a deal not believed to be close to $20MM on average. It will take more than $20MM per year for a team to land the former second-round pick in free agency.

“Like y’all said, this could be my last season [with the Bengals], so I definitely appreciated it, for sure,” Higgins said of playing another nationally televised game with Burrow and Co. “I love those guys to death. … The relationships are more important. Financially, that’s going to come.”

Higgins’ 58.9 yards-per-game number is in line with what he averaged during his most recent 1,000-yard season (2022), when he posted 59.6 per contest. But injury trouble took him off the field for five games, keeping his yardage total at 581 through 13 games. Higgins will also follow Packers wideout Christian Watson‘s lead in going through a study to determine the cause of his recent soft-tissue injury trouble, Baby adds. Higgins trudged through hamstring issues as a rookie and then missed time in 2023 and ’24. Higgins suffered hamstring and quadriceps injuries during separate practices this season, sidelining him for five games in total.

A strong finish will drive up the Clemson alum’s market. Higgins stands to be the top WR free agent prize, should the Bengals pass on a second tag that would come in at $26.2MM. His current $21.8MM number proved more palatable for the Bengals due to Burrow’s extension not yet producing big cap numbers. In 2025, however, Burrow’s cap hit will swell to $46.3MM.

The Bengals are not a restructure-happy team, but Burrow pushing them could at least keep the door open to a restructure — pushing more money into future years — to create more cap space for a second Higgins tag. That might not go over too well with Higgins, who would then see the team take two free agency years away, but it would be a way for Cincinnati to retain its WR2 for a bit longer.

It will be interesting to see what kind of role Burrow plays, and how receptive the organization is to its quarterback’s wishes. Defensive changes are likely coming to help maximize Burrow’s skills, after Cincy’s defense restricted this year’s team. How the club navigates the Higgins matter will also be a key issue, as it could impact Burrow’s satisfaction with management.

Bengals QB Joe Burrow Addresses 2024 Health Outlook

July 6th, 2024 at 8:16pm CST by Adam La Rose

Joe Burrow threw without restrictions during spring practices for the Bengals, and he is expected to be full healthy by the start of the regular season. A key storyline for 2024 will be his ability to remain available for entire campaign, though.

The former No. 1 pick entered last season with concerns stemming from the calf strain he suffered in the summer. A dislocated wrist ultimately shut him down for the year, adding further to his missed time in the NFL. Burrow has suffered two ACL tears in his career, and twice in his four Cincinnati campaigns he has been limited to 10 contests. Rather than focusing on a quick recovery process this offseason, attention shifted to a longer rehab aimed at putting him in a better position throughout the coming year.

“Number one, I want to be on the field for all the games,” Burrow said during an interview with Complex Sports. “I know I’m going to play well when I’m out there. I’m at that point in my career where I’ve seen enough ball and I know myself that I can go out there and play as well as anybody in the game.

“The biggest strides this year are going to be my body and learning how to get through the season, get through practices with my body feeling tip-top shape. And so that’s the main focus for the offseason.”

If healthy, the 27-year-old figures to give the Bengals a strong chance of contending in a highly competitive AFC. The team did manage a 9-8 record despite needing to lean on Jake Browning to close out the season in 2023, but its offense – featuring a number of new faces – will of course have a higher ceiling with Burrow back in place. Cincinnati’s receiving corps no longer includes Tyler Boyd, leaving the tandem of Ja’Marr Chase and franchise tag recipient Tee Higgins in place atop the depth chart; that pair has proven to be a strong pass-catching asset for Burrow.

Of course, expectations will remain high for the latter as he is tied with Trevor Lawrence for having the league’s highest AAV ($55MM) on his contract. Burrow is on the books through 2029, and his availability will be a central aspect of the Bengals’ success for the foreseeable future. It will be interesting to see if he makes progress this offseason with respect to improving his pain management and overall ability to stay on the field considering the importance of doing so for team and player in this case.

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