February 17, 2025 • 16 mins
After he reported for BengalsTalk.com that the Bengals plan on franchise tagging Tee Higgins again, James Rapien joined us on ESPN1530.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Now your chance to win one thousand dollars. Enter this
nationwide keyword on our website. Okay, that's pay Enter it now. Hey, hey,
it's a four four. This is ESPN fifteen thirty lm Oeger.
Thank you for listening today.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Hope we're having an awesome President's Day, a delightful Monday.
Hope you either have had a great weekend or are
continuing to have a good weekend. We've been busy today.
Our buddy James Rpin Bengals Talk dot Com reporting maybe
just about an hour and a half ago, that the
Bengals will tag T Higgins non exclusive franchise tag for
(00:39):
a second consecutive year. Obviously, you could read James story
at Bengals Talk dot Com, which is under the SI umbrella.
And I'm sure he is going to be writing about
this and talking about this on any one of his
eighteen different outlets locked on Bengals Enter the Jungle, Bengals
Talk dot Com. And in the middle of all that,
(01:00):
we make them come on the show. He used to produce. Hi, James, Hey,
what's up?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
How are you?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I'm well, man. I appreciate you doing this because I
know you're busy. I talked about this last week and
I mentioned you that I put you in the camp
of people who were expecting this to happen, that the
tag would be applied. So just walk through for me
here why today's news that you reported is, at least
to you, not that surprising.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yeah, you're right, it's not surprising at all. It was
a This is like a requirement. This is like stopping
at stop sides, you know, like the Bengals did exactly
what they were expected to do and had to do,
and to be clear, they hadn't done it yet. Right,
the window opens tomorrow, but they have zero plans and
i'll reiterate zero plans to let Tea Higgins become a
(01:47):
free agent. And I think that's the part of this
that's so crucial because you're talking about the fourth best
player on the team, and there are people listening that
think that T. Higgins is injury prone and the Bengals
and pay him and all of those things. This isn't
about that. Nobody listening. If you're hoping the Bengals are good,
(02:08):
should want T. Higgins to hit free agency because that
makes them lose a key asset. So, yeah, not surprised
that the Bengals are planning to go this path. And
I do think that this is it's very much a requirement.
It's Moeger showing up for work to do his show
on President's Day. It's something that you needed to do.
(02:30):
And so the Bengal's planning on getting this done. If
they can't get a long term deal done.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
All right, So they do this a year ago, they
don't get a long term deal done. Things have changed,
there's new representation, there's Joe Burrow lobbying for him. I
think there's also a desire to just put this to
bed because this has been going on for so long.
What do the coming weeks look like in the relationship
between t Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Yeah, I think that's the main thing to to hammer
home here is how different it is this year to
last year. It's so much different. And I think from
a vibe standpoint, a one thousand foot view standpoint, a
what the powers that be are saying, both whether it's
(03:20):
through Tobin talking last month or obviously what t said
last week ahead of the Super Bowl when he talked
with Fox nineteen, like you see it as a stuff
publicly and it just it feels different, and I think
it feels different because I think there's real hope and
belief that they can get a long term deal done.
And it goes back to that Monday night football postgame
(03:41):
presser with Joe Burrow and obviously the wheels were already
turning then when it comes to Tea's representation, and I
think he wants to be here. I think the Bengals
want him here. Obviously Joe wants him here, and so
this does not need to be a the Bengals are
tagging t Higgins, He's going to demand a trade again
(04:02):
like he did last year. I think, if anything, this
was the necessary step to get closer to a long
term deal. Because if you're a Rocky Arsenal of Alliance Sports,
which is a new agent, are you negotiating with the
Bengals when you're three weeks away from free agency, knowing
if your client can get the free agency he's the
(04:23):
number one free agent. It makes it really hard to
negotiate when you're that close. And so this maybe a
formality for some, but I think being willing and then
ultimately using the tag can lead to a long term
deal here in Cincinnati.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
So are we dealing with something that not that long
ago would have seemed unthinkable. Were T Higgins assigned to
a long term contract with the Cincinnati Bengals before Jamar Chases.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
You cut out there?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Mom?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
What was the last part Higgins instead of Jamar? Is
that true?
Speaker 2 (04:54):
So if I would have said, at any point late
last summer early fall, Higgiggins, we'll sign a long term
contract with the Cincinnati Bengals before Jamar Chase does, I
would have been laughed at. And yet that feels like
a distinct possibility. Is that what we're dealing with here?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Yes, and they actually think it should be that way.
It should have been that way last off season. To
be clear, I remember, I think back to my my
number one priority for the twenty twenty four Bengals off
season signed T Higgins and then it became a Jamar
show at camp and all this stuff. But no, I think, yeah,
(05:35):
Jamar's under contract. You know, Jamar is going to make
twenty one point eight million on the fifth year option.
You know when you sign him to a contract extension
that his CAT number goes down, So you're going to
free up space when you do that, so it doesn't
really hamstring your get in the way of anything you
would do in free agency. Meanwhile, for t Higgins, his
(05:56):
cap hit is twenty six plus million dollars. With this
franchise tag, you have all the incentive in the world
really to get something done long term sooner lower that
cap hit, make him happy, of course, and at the
same time give yourself as much flexibility as possible. And
who knows, maybe they can get something done without even
(06:17):
using the tag. I think that's unlikely. I know there's
been some fans that have said, oh, well, why isn't
it done yet, and it's like, well, a lot of
big news and moves don't really happen in February in
the NFL, it's usually early March if it's going to happen,
so there's still time. But yeah, I do think that
there's a real scenario where a T Higgins extension happens
(06:37):
before jamar Che's extension, which is pretty wild when you
put it that way.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, I mean just the way we framed it, right,
and not that that doesn't make sense right now. I
guess the next question that I would have would be,
then how long is it going to take for them
to get the jamar thing done?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
That is to me, it could happen in like may like.
I don't think that that when needs to happen now,
and I know a lot of people want it to
happen now, and doesn't mean it won't happen soon or heck,
maybe it's the ultimate. And I would hate this because
I'd be scrambling. But the Jamar and t maybe both
(07:13):
deals get done and they're doing a joint press conference right,
but talk about things I would hate. I would hate
that separate those things. But I honestly I think Key
and Trey should be higher on the priority list of
figuring out what's going to happen because there is a
(07:33):
scenario here with t where it just doesn't get done.
I think it's unlikely, but it just doesn't get done.
They can't find common ground and both sides say, all right,
you know what, we should explore the trade option, and
so you could go that route. I think Trey, that's
(07:54):
realistic too. The one that is not remotely realistic is
happening with Tamar, and so you have time there. You know,
he's under contract, and the kind of the blueprint and
the president with these star receivers, justin Jefferson being the
latest is it gets done after the fourth season, so
(08:15):
I'm not as concerned there, But the sooner the better,
I would say. With all of these, the last thing
I want to do is be standing there in July
for Trainy camp and seeing Jamar Chase roll out there
in a ball cap. Ballcaps are for goodyear, No, they're
not for downtown Cincinnati. And in July, when it comes
to the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
All right, you briefly James Rapaine Bengals Talk dot Com
reporting the Bengals plan to use the franchise tag on
t Higgins. Go read his story. You mentioned Trey Hendrickson.
I think there are some who kind of still view
this as an either or proposition. Explain why you don't
with Trey.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
But either or to you or Trey oh, because at
some point you have to to keep your best players
and decide that. And he's clearly your best player on defense.
And so when you look at whether it's the free
agent market, whether you look at the Bengals resources and
(09:16):
assets and that includes cap space, cash spent, all of
the all of the above that go into signing players,
they have the resources to keep try and you didn't
bring in Al Golden here to just win with guys
that aren't stars, and I don't see many star talents
available in free agency, Like I think that a lot
(09:38):
of people just assume that this is a normal free
agent crap crop, excuse me, and that the top of
the market isn't nearly as good as it has been
in past years. There's no guy at the level of
Trey Hendrickson, and knowing that you need to bolster your
pass rush, isn't it easier to pay Tray and then
(09:58):
build around him? Now you got to find common ground.
But if they don't find common ground low, I think
it will be because Trey, at thirty years old, feeling
underpaid for the past four seasons because he's exceeded his contract,
then he has is asking for more than the Bengals
want to give him. And I do think there is
(10:19):
a too high of a number with Trey, because he's really,
really good. He's not Miles Garrett, he's not Micah Parsons,
He's not that the elite complete do it all edge
rushers that are in the NFL. That doesn't mean he
doesn't deserve twenty five million or twenty seven million per year,
But if he's asking for a three year extension at
(10:41):
thirty plus million per year. Well, I have an idea
of what the Bengals are going to do there, and
Trey's probably not gonna like it, So I do think
it can be done. I'm not sure what Trey's asking,
but it's going to take Trey being reasonable, I think
in his desire and his request from a money standpoint,
and at the same time the Bengals that they're going
(11:02):
to have to be willing to pay him significantly more
than they have in recent seasons.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Players, as a general rule, don't like the franchise tag,
which is an issue they should take up with their union.
They really is a general rule, don't like it when
it's applied twice. Do you think that at all applies
to t Higgins, assuming that this is what they're going
to do, which is what you're reporting.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Yeah, I think sure. I mean, I know he doesn't
didn't want to get tagged a second time, but that
doesn't mean that doesn't mean that this not so good
news has to mean bad news when it comes to
his long term pay right. And I think that's how
(11:45):
that's how you would have to look at it. And
last year it felt much different. Like I said, it
just intentious might be the wrong word between Tea and
the team, But behind the scenes, I'm not sure there
was any negotiating after the tag was applied, which is
is the whole point of the tag. Players hate the tag,
but everyone but t Higgins last year that was tagged
(12:07):
got long term deals with their team. Right, So as
long as this leads to a long term deal, I
don't think it would be too bad. See. I think
the initial shock assuming he gets tagged, and the kind
of annoying, but that annoyance can lead to the ultimate goal,
which is obviously a long term deal. I would say
for a Tea, whether a tier or elsewhere, he obviously
(12:30):
wants to get paid this offseason.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
All right, one more because I know you've got a
lot going on, and I appreciate you joining us on
late notice. I think the big takeaway for me is
just and I think you would agree. In all the
years you've been following this team, we've not seen anybody
do what Joe Burrow has done over the last two
and a half months, publicly and emphatically demand what he wants,
(12:52):
put public pressure on the Bengals, make no bones about it,
and do it in a very thoughtful manner and and
and change of consa entirely. This was a done deal
for a lot of us back in October and November,
and Joe changed it. You mentioned after that game against
the Dallas Cowboys. Is the big takeaway here that maybe
a franchise that has long been known for stubbornness and
(13:14):
inflexibility is bending to the right person. I think we
would agree if you're going to bend anybody, bend to
Joe Burrow. But they're bending here, maybe for the first
time in something like this in the history of the franchise,
I think.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
To a degree. I also think Joe has been very calculated.
It's both like yes, no, clearly once teen has been
really outspoken about it. I also think when Joe made
those comments on the Monday night football game afterwards they
beat Dallas and he's got doughnut on his face though
that I'm kidding, but they think they were already talks
(13:53):
behind the scenes. I think that is very calculated. I
think that this is something that it's to me Joe,
and he makes the comments he's making publicly, is not
doing it to ms the front office, right. I think
that that that he is is aware, much like I'm
(14:13):
aware and a lot of people are aware. They have
the resources to get these guys done. I think they
have the desire to And so for Joe, he's just
saying what he's saying behind closed doors too, and at
the same time he knows the pressure right element, and
so I do think that that is a factor. But
(14:35):
I also think that the front office agrees that they
want to keep Tea and it is probably willing to
pay Tee, you know, a four year, one and twelve
million dollar deal. I haven't been given those numbers, but
I would be shocked if they wouldn't be willing to
get in that range. And so I think it's a
little bit of both. But I do agree with you
(14:56):
that that how they respond to Joe that matters. Everybody's
watching that, and this was the inevitable first step of
what needs to be many this offseason if they're if
they're going to build a championship team around Joe. Let's
be honest, they did not do that this past year,
and in letting Key leave, wou would have been a
(15:18):
tough sell. I think the number nine. So yeah, this
is a step in the right direction for sure.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
All right man. Now you get a lot going on.
Thank you on short notice. We'll talk soon. Thanks so much.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
Thanks MO, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
That's our guy, James Orpeine, Bengals Talk dot Com. SI
broke the story. Bengals plan on tagging T. Higgins. They
can officially do this as early as four o'clock Eastern
time tomorrow. They have until March fourth. Assuming they do this,
it'll be the non exclusive franchise tag they'll have between
the time they do that and July fifteenth to get
a deal done. Good stuff from James or Peine. Twenty
(15:50):
minutes after four o'clock. Your reaction is welcome. We have
I came to work today thinking, for the most part
it was going to be a Reds in college basketball
centric day, and here we are with the T. Higgins thing.
But uh, it makes sense. More on this and a
few other things coming up. Twenty after four ESPN fifteen
thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
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Now your chance to win one thousand dollars. Enter this
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it's a four four. This is ESPN fifteen thirty lm Oeger.
Thank you for listening today.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Hope we're having an awesome President's Day, a delightful Monday.
Hope you either have had a great weekend or are
continuing to have a good weekend. We've been busy today.
Our buddy James Rpin Bengals Talk dot Com reporting maybe
just about an hour and a half ago, that the
Bengals will tag T Higgins non exclusive franchise tag for
(00:39):
a second consecutive year. Obviously, you could read James story
at Bengals Talk dot Com, which is under the SI umbrella.
And I'm sure he is going to be writing about
this and talking about this on any one of his
eighteen different outlets locked on Bengals Enter the Jungle, Bengals
Talk dot Com. And in the middle of all that,
(01:00):
we make them come on the show. He used to produce. Hi, James, Hey,
what's up?
Speaker 3 (01:05):
How are you?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
I'm well, man. I appreciate you doing this because I
know you're busy. I talked about this last week and
I mentioned you that I put you in the camp
of people who were expecting this to happen, that the
tag would be applied. So just walk through for me
here why today's news that you reported is, at least
to you, not that surprising.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
Yeah, you're right, it's not surprising at all. It was
a This is like a requirement. This is like stopping
at stop sides, you know, like the Bengals did exactly
what they were expected to do and had to do,
and to be clear, they hadn't done it yet. Right,
the window opens tomorrow, but they have zero plans and
i'll reiterate zero plans to let Tea Higgins become a
(01:47):
free agent. And I think that's the part of this
that's so crucial because you're talking about the fourth best
player on the team, and there are people listening that
think that T. Higgins is injury prone and the Bengals
and pay him and all of those things. This isn't
about that. Nobody listening. If you're hoping the Bengals are good,
(02:08):
should want T. Higgins to hit free agency because that
makes them lose a key asset. So, yeah, not surprised
that the Bengals are planning to go this path. And
I do think that this is it's very much a requirement.
It's Moeger showing up for work to do his show
on President's Day. It's something that you needed to do.
(02:30):
And so the Bengal's planning on getting this done. If
they can't get a long term deal done.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
All right, So they do this a year ago, they
don't get a long term deal done. Things have changed,
there's new representation, there's Joe Burrow lobbying for him. I
think there's also a desire to just put this to
bed because this has been going on for so long.
What do the coming weeks look like in the relationship
between t Higgins and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Yeah, I think that's the main thing to to hammer
home here is how different it is this year to
last year. It's so much different. And I think from
a vibe standpoint, a one thousand foot view standpoint, a
what the powers that be are saying, both whether it's
(03:20):
through Tobin talking last month or obviously what t said
last week ahead of the Super Bowl when he talked
with Fox nineteen, like you see it as a stuff
publicly and it just it feels different, and I think
it feels different because I think there's real hope and
belief that they can get a long term deal done.
And it goes back to that Monday night football postgame
(03:41):
presser with Joe Burrow and obviously the wheels were already
turning then when it comes to Tea's representation, and I
think he wants to be here. I think the Bengals
want him here. Obviously Joe wants him here, and so
this does not need to be a the Bengals are
tagging t Higgins, He's going to demand a trade again
(04:02):
like he did last year. I think, if anything, this
was the necessary step to get closer to a long
term deal. Because if you're a Rocky Arsenal of Alliance Sports,
which is a new agent, are you negotiating with the
Bengals when you're three weeks away from free agency, knowing
if your client can get the free agency he's the
(04:23):
number one free agent. It makes it really hard to
negotiate when you're that close. And so this maybe a
formality for some, but I think being willing and then
ultimately using the tag can lead to a long term
deal here in Cincinnati.
Speaker 2 (04:38):
So are we dealing with something that not that long
ago would have seemed unthinkable. Were T Higgins assigned to
a long term contract with the Cincinnati Bengals before Jamar Chases.
Speaker 3 (04:50):
You cut out there?
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Mom?
Speaker 3 (04:51):
What was the last part Higgins instead of Jamar? Is
that true?
Speaker 2 (04:54):
So if I would have said, at any point late
last summer early fall, Higgiggins, we'll sign a long term
contract with the Cincinnati Bengals before Jamar Chase does, I
would have been laughed at. And yet that feels like
a distinct possibility. Is that what we're dealing with here?
Speaker 3 (05:13):
Yes, and they actually think it should be that way.
It should have been that way last off season. To
be clear, I remember, I think back to my my
number one priority for the twenty twenty four Bengals off
season signed T Higgins and then it became a Jamar
show at camp and all this stuff. But no, I think, yeah,
(05:35):
Jamar's under contract. You know, Jamar is going to make
twenty one point eight million on the fifth year option.
You know when you sign him to a contract extension
that his CAT number goes down, So you're going to
free up space when you do that, so it doesn't
really hamstring your get in the way of anything you
would do in free agency. Meanwhile, for t Higgins, his
(05:56):
cap hit is twenty six plus million dollars. With this
franchise tag, you have all the incentive in the world
really to get something done long term sooner lower that
cap hit, make him happy, of course, and at the
same time give yourself as much flexibility as possible. And
who knows, maybe they can get something done without even
(06:17):
using the tag. I think that's unlikely. I know there's
been some fans that have said, oh, well, why isn't
it done yet, and it's like, well, a lot of
big news and moves don't really happen in February in
the NFL, it's usually early March if it's going to happen,
so there's still time. But yeah, I do think that
there's a real scenario where a T Higgins extension happens
(06:37):
before jamar Che's extension, which is pretty wild when you
put it that way.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
Yeah, I mean just the way we framed it, right,
and not that that doesn't make sense right now. I
guess the next question that I would have would be,
then how long is it going to take for them
to get the jamar thing done?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
That is to me, it could happen in like may like.
I don't think that that when needs to happen now,
and I know a lot of people want it to
happen now, and doesn't mean it won't happen soon or heck,
maybe it's the ultimate. And I would hate this because
I'd be scrambling. But the Jamar and t maybe both
(07:13):
deals get done and they're doing a joint press conference right,
but talk about things I would hate. I would hate
that separate those things. But I honestly I think Key
and Trey should be higher on the priority list of
figuring out what's going to happen because there is a
(07:33):
scenario here with t where it just doesn't get done.
I think it's unlikely, but it just doesn't get done.
They can't find common ground and both sides say, all right,
you know what, we should explore the trade option, and
so you could go that route. I think Trey, that's
(07:54):
realistic too. The one that is not remotely realistic is
happening with Tamar, and so you have time there. You know,
he's under contract, and the kind of the blueprint and
the president with these star receivers, justin Jefferson being the
latest is it gets done after the fourth season, so
(08:15):
I'm not as concerned there, But the sooner the better,
I would say. With all of these, the last thing
I want to do is be standing there in July
for Trainy camp and seeing Jamar Chase roll out there
in a ball cap. Ballcaps are for goodyear, No, they're
not for downtown Cincinnati. And in July, when it comes
to the Bengals.
Speaker 2 (08:36):
All right, you briefly James Rapaine Bengals Talk dot Com
reporting the Bengals plan to use the franchise tag on
t Higgins. Go read his story. You mentioned Trey Hendrickson.
I think there are some who kind of still view
this as an either or proposition. Explain why you don't
with Trey.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
But either or to you or Trey oh, because at
some point you have to to keep your best players
and decide that. And he's clearly your best player on defense.
And so when you look at whether it's the free
agent market, whether you look at the Bengals resources and
(09:16):
assets and that includes cap space, cash spent, all of
the all of the above that go into signing players,
they have the resources to keep try and you didn't
bring in Al Golden here to just win with guys
that aren't stars, and I don't see many star talents
available in free agency, Like I think that a lot
(09:38):
of people just assume that this is a normal free
agent crap crop, excuse me, and that the top of
the market isn't nearly as good as it has been
in past years. There's no guy at the level of
Trey Hendrickson, and knowing that you need to bolster your
pass rush, isn't it easier to pay Tray and then
(09:58):
build around him? Now you got to find common ground.
But if they don't find common ground low, I think
it will be because Trey, at thirty years old, feeling
underpaid for the past four seasons because he's exceeded his contract,
then he has is asking for more than the Bengals
want to give him. And I do think there is
(10:19):
a too high of a number with Trey, because he's really,
really good. He's not Miles Garrett, he's not Micah Parsons,
He's not that the elite complete do it all edge
rushers that are in the NFL. That doesn't mean he
doesn't deserve twenty five million or twenty seven million per year,
But if he's asking for a three year extension at
(10:41):
thirty plus million per year. Well, I have an idea
of what the Bengals are going to do there, and
Trey's probably not gonna like it, So I do think
it can be done. I'm not sure what Trey's asking,
but it's going to take Trey being reasonable, I think
in his desire and his request from a money standpoint,
and at the same time the Bengals that they're going
(11:02):
to have to be willing to pay him significantly more
than they have in recent seasons.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Players, as a general rule, don't like the franchise tag,
which is an issue they should take up with their union.
They really is a general rule, don't like it when
it's applied twice. Do you think that at all applies
to t Higgins, assuming that this is what they're going
to do, which is what you're reporting.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Yeah, I think sure. I mean, I know he doesn't
didn't want to get tagged a second time, but that
doesn't mean that doesn't mean that this not so good
news has to mean bad news when it comes to
his long term pay right. And I think that's how
(11:45):
that's how you would have to look at it. And
last year it felt much different. Like I said, it
just intentious might be the wrong word between Tea and
the team, But behind the scenes, I'm not sure there
was any negotiating after the tag was applied, which is
is the whole point of the tag. Players hate the tag,
but everyone but t Higgins last year that was tagged
(12:07):
got long term deals with their team. Right, So as
long as this leads to a long term deal, I
don't think it would be too bad. See. I think
the initial shock assuming he gets tagged, and the kind
of annoying, but that annoyance can lead to the ultimate goal,
which is obviously a long term deal. I would say
for a Tea, whether a tier or elsewhere, he obviously
(12:30):
wants to get paid this offseason.
Speaker 2 (12:32):
All right, one more because I know you've got a
lot going on, and I appreciate you joining us on
late notice. I think the big takeaway for me is
just and I think you would agree. In all the
years you've been following this team, we've not seen anybody
do what Joe Burrow has done over the last two
and a half months, publicly and emphatically demand what he wants,
(12:52):
put public pressure on the Bengals, make no bones about it,
and do it in a very thoughtful manner and and
and change of consa entirely. This was a done deal
for a lot of us back in October and November,
and Joe changed it. You mentioned after that game against
the Dallas Cowboys. Is the big takeaway here that maybe
a franchise that has long been known for stubbornness and
(13:14):
inflexibility is bending to the right person. I think we
would agree if you're going to bend anybody, bend to
Joe Burrow. But they're bending here, maybe for the first
time in something like this in the history of the franchise,
I think.
Speaker 3 (13:29):
To a degree. I also think Joe has been very calculated.
It's both like yes, no, clearly once teen has been
really outspoken about it. I also think when Joe made
those comments on the Monday night football game afterwards they
beat Dallas and he's got doughnut on his face though
that I'm kidding, but they think they were already talks
(13:53):
behind the scenes. I think that is very calculated. I
think that this is something that it's to me Joe,
and he makes the comments he's making publicly, is not
doing it to ms the front office, right. I think
that that that he is is aware, much like I'm
(14:13):
aware and a lot of people are aware. They have
the resources to get these guys done. I think they
have the desire to And so for Joe, he's just
saying what he's saying behind closed doors too, and at
the same time he knows the pressure right element, and
so I do think that that is a factor. But
(14:35):
I also think that the front office agrees that they
want to keep Tea and it is probably willing to
pay Tee, you know, a four year, one and twelve
million dollar deal. I haven't been given those numbers, but
I would be shocked if they wouldn't be willing to
get in that range. And so I think it's a
little bit of both. But I do agree with you
(14:56):
that that how they respond to Joe that matters. Everybody's
watching that, and this was the inevitable first step of
what needs to be many this offseason if they're if
they're going to build a championship team around Joe. Let's
be honest, they did not do that this past year,
and in letting Key leave, wou would have been a
(15:18):
tough sell. I think the number nine. So yeah, this
is a step in the right direction for sure.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
All right man. Now you get a lot going on.
Thank you on short notice. We'll talk soon. Thanks so much.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
Thanks MO, appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (15:27):
That's our guy, James Orpeine, Bengals Talk dot Com. SI
broke the story. Bengals plan on tagging T. Higgins. They
can officially do this as early as four o'clock Eastern
time tomorrow. They have until March fourth. Assuming they do this,
it'll be the non exclusive franchise tag they'll have between
the time they do that and July fifteenth to get
a deal done. Good stuff from James or Peine. Twenty
(15:50):
minutes after four o'clock. Your reaction is welcome. We have
I came to work today thinking, for the most part
it was going to be a Reds in college basketball
centric day, and here we are with the T. Higgins thing.
But uh, it makes sense. More on this and a
few other things coming up. Twenty after four ESPN fifteen
thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 3 (16:10):
Cincinnati's ESPN fifteen thirty Traffic from.
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comprehensive care that's so personal it makes your best tomorrow possible.
That's boundless care for better outcomes. Expect more at ucehealth
dot com. Anietta Road is closed off due to flooding
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In southbound Springfield Pike. It's an accident at two seventy five.
I'm at Ezelek with traffic.
Speaker 3 (16:46):
This report is sponsored by State
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