Hated Chiefs Rival One Step Closer to Losing Star WR

The Chiefs stand alone atop the NFL with three Super Bowl wins in the last five seasons, though the Cincinnati Bengals are the only team in recent years to topple Kansas City in the AFC.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals haven't won a Lombardi Trophy but still stand as an obstacle to Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City's quest to win three straight Super Bowls. However, it appears Cincy may have missed its window.

In fact, star WR Tee Higgins may be on his way out. He's on the franchise tag, though there's reportedly been no conversations of a long-term deal.

Bengals One Step Closer to Losing WR Tee Higgins

It's no secret that Higgins wants the security that comes with a lengthy extension. Injuries limited him to 12 games last season, though he had two straight years of 1,000+ yards prior to that even serving as the secondary option alongside Ja'Marr Chase.

According to ESPN, "Higgins and the Bengals haven't had negotiations for a new contract in more than a year...The 2020 second-round draft pick is the only player franchise-tagged this offseason who has yet to receive a long-term extension."

While Higgins could certainly play out the franchise tag this year, he's given no indication he intends to stay with the franchise. Ben Baby continues, "Higgins has not signed the tender worth $21.8 million. After requesting a trade earlier in the offseason, Higgins later indicated he will play for the Bengals in 2024."

It looks like the Bengals could soon be in for a divorce with their No. 2 pass-catching threat, giving the Chiefs an even bigger advantage over their rivals.

Betting odds currently have the Chiefs leading the AFC at +370 odds to win the conference with the Bengals third at +700 over at FanDuel Sportsbook, though Cincinnati's quest becomes much more difficult without Higgins.

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