The Cincinnati Bengals locked in superstar quarterback Joe Burrow to a massive five-year extension worth $275 million on Thursday night. Next up is trying to get a deal done with wide receiver Tee Higgins. However, after Higgins' short two-word response on Friday, a report came out stating that Higgins doesn't appear to be in the Bengals' long-term plans, per Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

‘The Cincinnati Bengals and wide receiver Tee Higgins are not close and never got close on a contract extension, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Enquirer. The former second-round pick out of Clemson is not believed to be in the Bengals’ future plans. Higgins was offered a contract extension this offseason but it didn’t meet what Higgins is expecting to get on the open market.'

All signs point to the Bengals and Higgins not agreeing to a new deal prior to Sunday's season opener, and that would mean he would enter free agency after the season. There is still the scenario where the Bengals use the franchise tag, although it seems that Higgins would be better off testing the market and cashing in a huge payday.

If Higgins does enter free agency in 2024, he will easily be one of, if not the most coveted player in the market, and wide receiver-needy teams would be lining up to bring him on board.

The Bengals start off the season with a road game against the Cleveland Browns, and if there is no Higgins deal, this could be his final season opener with the franchise.