Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who had the franchise tag placed on him earlier this offseason for the 2024 campaign, has still not signed the tag and is not present for the start of mandatory minicamp this week. Because he's technically not under contract yet, Higgins will not be fined. The 25-year-old either wants to be traded or wants a new contract from Cincinnati. He officially asked for a trade in March but now expects to play for the Bengals in 2024. The former second-rounder in 2020 out of Clemson had the worst of his four seasons in the NFL last year, playing in only 12 games due to injury and finishing with 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns. A bounce-back should be coming if he can stay healthy in 2024, but Higgins' fantasy upside as a WR2/3 will continue to be capped as long as he's playing in the shadow of teammate and WR1 Ja'Marr Chase.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) did not participate in Tuesday's workouts, according to NFL.com. However, head coach Zac Taylor said part of his return plan from last year's season-ending injury includes one day off each week this offseason. The organization is going to be extra cautious with the $275 million signal-caller, especially since he has missed at least six games in two of his first four NFL seasons. Assuming Burrow can stay healthy in 2024, he has mid-range QB1 upside in fantasy football. Tee Higgins is likely to remain on the roster for at least this season, and Ja'Marr Chase could be entering his prime heading into his age-24 season.

According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase isn't expected to be offered a contract extension in the near future. With Justin Jefferson agreeing to a market-altering deal on Monday, Chase and his next contract are the next hot topic of discussion. However, with the Bengals notoriously known for waiting before securing their stars with new deals, Chase may not get an offer on an extension until the summer of 2025. Without question, the former LSU Tiger is worthy of a massive payday. He's appeared in 45 games for the Bengals since being selected with the No. 5 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, accumulating 268 catches for 3,717 yards and 29 touchdowns. As such, Chase will be a first-round fantasy option heading into the 2024-25 campaign with or without a new contract. But he's battled injuries over the years, which fantasy managers may need to deal with throughout the season.

According to Chris Roling of USA Today, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) looked "great" on "most of his throws" during the team's recent OTAs. The signal-caller, who suffered a season-ending wrist injury in a game against the Ravens in mid-November, also "added muscle to his frame." Without question, injuries have been Burrow's biggest issue since entering the National Football League as the No. 1 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, if he can remain on the field, he could be a top-five fantasy quarterback, just like in 2022, when he threw for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Fortunately, it appears Burrow is taking the steps necessary to ensure he stays healthy during the 2024-25 campaign.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are both not present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday as they seek new deals this offseason. Higgins has yet to sign his franchise tender for this year, so until he does, he will not be allowed to participate in offseason workouts with the team. The 25-year-old requested a trade from the Bengals when the team put the franchise tag on him just before the start of free agency in March, but he remains in Cincinnati for now as he angles for a new long-term deal. It's an offseason storyline to follow for fantasy managers after Higgins had an extremely disappointing 2023 campaign. It didn't help that quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury, but Higgins was also injured himself and finished with a career-low 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.