Ja'Marr Chase hints at "possible" long-term future in Cincinnati after Tee Higgins' big agent move

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has signed with teammate Ja’Marr Chase’s agent, Rocky Arceneaux, and the duo’s future in Cincinnati could extend for a few seasons.

Chase, who has been with Arceneaux since entering the NFL, welcomed fellow receiver Higgins to the same agency with a dash of banter.

“I just told him, ‘We stuck for life now,’” Chase quipped when asked about the switch.

When pressed on whether it makes it more likely that they stay as teammates, Chase responded:

“There’s a possible chance, yeah.”

In a typical Chase answer, the receiver clarified that the final decision was entirely Higgins’ own:

“It’s a business decision. I’m not gonna tell him what to do. This is what he wants to do at the end of the day.”

Per reports, Higgins and the Bengals failed to agree a long-term contract, forcing the Bengals to use their franchise tag on him. In return, Higgins was guaranteed $21.8 million and with that, likely his final season in Cincinnati.

However, there may be renewed hope for Higgins to stay with the Bengals after parting ways with his agent, David Mulugheta. A move to join forces with Chase's agent indicates his desire to stay long-term in the Bengals’ plans.

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Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr chase chemistry key to Joe Burrow’s Bengals career

It’s no secret that franchise quarterback Joe Burrow sees Tee Higgins and Chase as crucial offensive weapons to succeed in Cincinnati. The chemistry between the trio is arguably unmatched, so losing Higgins would lead to a huge gap in the Bengals’ offensive system.

Chase has spoken highly of his relationship with Arcenaux, often labelling him as a mentor during struggles. So, striking a solid working camaraderie with his new agent would bode well for keeping the star duo in Cincinnati.

Chase also acknowledged Tee Higgins' influence and his unique partnership in a press conference:

“Yeah, 100% I feel like he deserves to be here. He wants to be here, but at the end of the day, that’s not in my control. I just hope the best for him. I hope he can stay. We keep this going."

Chase's comments hint at a possible long-term future in Cincinnati. After all, like Burrow, he wants to keep the band together.

“That’s a piece of the offense that would be missing if he (Higgins) does leave, but who knows what they’ll do to replace Tee. Not saying he will leave, but it’ll be a lot going on.

“At the end of the day, I’ve just been with him for this long. We have built chemistry this long, chemistry with Joe, so the chemistry is there already. It’s all about how they want to play it,” he said.

There's no guarantee that Tee Higgins will stay in Cincinnati next season. The Bengals have their task cut out in the offseason, with the front office needing to juggle finances, address roster needs and ensure that the team stays competitive.