Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase wasn't present for voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday. Chase is heading into the fourth year of his rookie deal after the team picked up his fifth-year option for the 2025 season back in April. The 24-year-old is slated to make $5 million in 2024 and remains one of the best all-around receivers in the game. His absence during voluntary offseason workouts shouldn't raise too many eyebrows, although it would be nice to see him working with quarterback Joe Burrow after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in 2023. Chase is unlikely to stage a long holdout into mandatory minicamp next month and training camp this summer, and he and the Bengals should eventually work out something long term that should make him one of, if not the highest, paid receiver in the NFL.

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) hasn't faced any limits regarding his activity level during voluntary OTAs. "We designed the whole thing to stay within the constraints of where the medical people think he should be and where he wants to be right now," said offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher. "Nobody is sitting there with a special pitch counter. But we've been smart how we put it together." It's undoubtedly a positive update on the signal-caller, who suffered a season-ending torn ligament in his right wrist during a meeting with the Ravens in mid-November, and it appears he's well on his way to being ready for Week 1. While Burrow has all the tools needed to be a top fantasy quarterback, his health will be on the mind of all fantasy managers. With that said, the Bengals have a favorable schedule in 2024-25, meaning the 27-year-old could thrive as long as he stays on the field.

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins isn't expected to attend OTAs next week. This isn't surprising, considering the wideout wants a new contract. He also requested a trade in March, although it doesn't appear that the Bengals are looking to move him. The 25-year-old had a down season in 2023-24, amassing 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns, all the lowest marks of his career. He was also limited to just 12 games due to injury. With that said, there's still a chance things will get resolved heading into training camp. If that's the case, Higgins could turn things around in 2024-25, especially if Joe Burrow (wrist) stays healthy. Yet, if both parties can't reach an agreement, he'll play on a franchise tag.UPDATE: Higgins still hasn't signed his franchise tender and is not expected to by next week. He cannot rejoin the team until he signs the tag.

Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton has left a positive impression on the coaching staff despite being drafted less than two weeks ago. According to SI's Albert Breer, Burton has already shown the Bengals that he is a "competitive kid who has good ball skills and the explosiveness to separate from coverage in the NFL." Breer noted that Burton has worked through some off-the-field issues but has the talent needed to make an impact at the pro level. He's currently competing for the No. 3 receiver role behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Such a position on the depth chart was most recently occupied by Tyler Boyd. The Bengals would love to get production out of Burton in his first pro season, and as Breer points out, he could benefit from Chase and Higgins drawing away coverage.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins continues to grow frustrated as his trade request from last month has gone unanswered. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Higgins is "pissed" about the lack of a shared vision between himself and the team. Higgins was once said to be seeking a deal similar to Michael Pittman Jr.'s three-year, $70 million pact, but Cincinnati reportedly never came close to that price tag. This prompted the talented receiver to request a trade, but the Bengals made it clear (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN) that they have "no plans" to trade him. Therefore, the stalemate continues between Cincinnati and Higgins. One has to wonder if too many bridges have been burned and a holdout might be in the cards.