Joe Burrow confronts possibility of blockbuster Tee Higgins trade as Patriots rumors take center stage

Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are still clinging to the hope that they will make the playoffs this season. Tee Higgins was a big part of why the Bengals have been able to register an 8-8 record this season. His chemistry with Burrow has been off the charts, helping catapult Burrow to MVP conversations despite Cincinnati's .500 record.

On Tuesday, Burrow addressed the possibility that Higgins might not be with the Bengals next season as the ownership has shown no indication of handing him a contract extension.

On the other hand, the Bengals are notorious for not entertaining any contract talks during the season underway, so Higgins might yet get his extension once the team enters the offseason.

"It's obviously a possibility. Not one I'm thrilled about." Burrow said. "You don't want to make a living out of letting great players leave your building."

He seemed to take a dig at the ownership as well for not having made the decision on such a crucial player yet. Higgins had played this season on a $21.8 million franchise tag.

While speaking about his extension, Tee Higgins made it clear that he did not want to topple Minnesota Vikings' Justin Jefferson as the NFL's highest-paid wideout, but that he wanted to continue playing alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Burrow.

"I'm playing with, if not the best, one of the best QBs," Higgins said. "I'm playing with, if not the best, one of the best WRs. That opens up things for me. In this offense, everyone has a chance to be spotlighted."

Ja'Marr Chase makes feelings clear over Tee Higgins' contract situation

After the Bengals defeated the Denver Broncos 30-24 in overtime on Saturday, Tee Higgins was speaking to a reporter, when Ja'Marr Chase came up from behind and yelled, "Pay the man" at the camera.

"If that was his last game in this stadium, he went out with a bang. But that's a big if," Chase told reporters.

He became emotional while speaking after the Broncos' victory at the thought that it might have been his last game at the Bengals' home Paycor Stadium.

"I hope not, but that could have been my last game in the stripes here," Higgins told reporters. "This game, it meant a lot more to me coming into it. Definitely a surreal feeling."