For the last couple of years, the Cincinnati Bengals have had one of the best rosters in the NFL, but they haven’t taken home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
They have an outstanding quarterback in Joe Burrow and an excellent wide receiver tandem in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and this offseason they have also added star offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who just earned a Super Bowl championship ring with the Kansas City Chiefs.
One would think the future is bright for them, but Nick Wright said that if they don’t win it all this season, the next few years could be difficult for them because a number of their key players will be free agents soon.
Bengals Super Bowl window closing?
"If they don't win it this year, they're going to spend the next couple years taking a step back. Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined make $24M all put together." — @getnickwright pic.twitter.com/BImZXkkddv
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) July 26, 2023
Wright pointed out that right now, Burrow, Chase, and Higgins don’t make a huge amount of money combined, but that Chase will be up soon for a huge contract extension.
He feels that as a result of Chase and others nearing free agency, Cincinnati will end up losing Higgins.
Losing Higgins would be a big blow to the team’s championship hopes — he is one of the best No. 2 wideouts in the league, and last season he had 1,029 receiving yards, which was right behind Chase for the team lead in that category.
Burrow has become one of the two or three best QBs in football, and because of his amazing skills and steady hand, Wright says the Bengals should always be in contention with him.
But contending for a world championship and winning one are too different things, and the former just won’t be good enough for a Bengals organization that has lost in the Super Bowl three times without ever winning one.
NEXT: Chris Broussard Names Key Factor For Bengals' Championship Window
