Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't envision wide receiver Tee Higgins suiting up for another team in 2024.

"We'd love to have Tee back. He's a big part of what we've done here," Burrow told reporters Monday. "It's no secret, our relationship. I expect Tee to be back. We all want Tee back."

Higgins is due to be a free agent after he and the Bengals were unable to agree to an extension before the 2023 season kicked off.

Injuries limited the 2020 second-round pick to 12 games, but he remained effective when healthy. He caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns, with his 15.6 yards per reception a career high.

The dilemma for the Bengals is pretty straightforward.

Spotrac pegged Higgins' value at $18.6 million annually, which would be the 15th-biggest salary cap hit for a wideout. And that might undersell what he could actually command on the open market.

That's a sizable commitment, especially on a long-term deal, when Ja'Marr Chase is eligible for free agency in 2026 and stands to make even more on his next deal. He's worth $26.1 million right now, per Spotrac, and that figure will only climb the closer he gets to the expiration of his rookie contract.

This could effectively be an either or situation for Cincinnati because retaining both Higgins and Chase will require spending a lot of money on just one position.

Higgins is eligible for the franchise tag, which would be a costly play for now but afford the Bengals some flexibility.

If they intended to keep the 24-year-old, then Cincy would be assured of having him for at least one more season while gaining additional time to work out an extension. The team has more than enough cap space to accommodate what's projected to be a $21.7 million guaranteed payout.

The franchise tag would also provide the front office an opportunity to explore trade avenues if it's resigned to losing Higgins. Flipping him for a draft pick is better than him walking for nothing as a free agent.

There's no question Burrow wields a lot of influence and his opinion will be considered. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin probably won't be afraid to go against the star's wishes with Higgins, though, if it's the best play for the organization.