ARLINGTON, Texas (WKRC) – There was clear symbolism in Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and standout wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase going to the coin toss together before Monday night’s game at the Dallas Cowboys, because that’s what it is There is a shadow hanging over the fact that all three will not be with the team next season. And yet, after the 27-20 win, Burrow seemed to indicate that he believes there is a world in which both Higgins and Chase sign long-term deals to remain with the team.

Higgins is playing under the franchise tag this season and is eligible to become a free agent after the season — although the team could re-sign him — while Chase is seeking a lucrative extension that could make him the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver.

Chase finished Monday’s game with 14 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including a 40-yard dash for the game-winning score with just over a minute remaining after a short-out route. He now has 93 receptions for 1,319 yards and 15 touchdowns, which is the best player in the NFL in all three categories.

Burrow was asked if he could imagine playing without Chase one day.

“Not that. “I don’t want that to happen,” Burrow said. “We feed each other.” We make each other better. We’re both really smart players. That’s hard to ignore when you have a really smart receiver that you can move anywhere and do a lot of things with. Hopefully we can play together as long as we’re in this league together.”

There was always a greater chance that the Bengals would sign a long-term deal with Chase, who will still have his fifth-year rookie option in 2025, than sign Higgins long-term if that becomes an option.

Burrow said he doesn’t think it needs to become one.

“These discussions are ongoing,” Burrow said. “I am confident we will do whatever it takes to get tea back. I know I will do anything to get him back. So that he can have these conversations; these will take place in the off-season. “I think we are excited about this opportunity.”

When asked what makes him confident the team can sign Higgins, Burrow simply said, “We’ll see.”

Higgins was taken aback when he learned of Burrows’ comments.

“(Expletive deleted), if Joe says it, maybe it’s true,” Higgins said.

Higgins only had two throws for 23 yards in Monday’s game, but he also helps open things up for Chase when the defense decides not to double Chase because Higgins is on the field.

“You feel his presence when he’s out there,” Burrow said. “You can feel how it affects the defense. You can feel how it affects the defensive coordinator’s instructions. Even if he isn’t particularly productive on the night, teams need to be worried about him and feel his presence. The defense is worried about him, and you can feel it.”

Higgins came into the game with 43 receptions for 558 yards and five touchdowns in just seven games this season. After Monday’s win, the Bengals are 4-4 in games he has played and 1-4 in games he hasn’t played.

Chase said that just before he walked out with Burow and Higgins for the coin toss, he thought about how much he wanted the three to continue doing it together.

“As I was sitting (before) the coin toss, that was actually on my mind, but I try to think about it too much,” Chase said. “This is really out of my control. I wish I could commit Tee myself and have him here with me for eternity. It is possible. It’s 100% possible. In this situation you have to play chess, but it is possible.”

Burrow admitted that walking out to the coin toss with Higgins and Chase was a special moment because it was the first time they had done it together.

“I immediately liked this trio,” Burrow said. “We played a lot of football together, made a lot of plays, scored a lot of touchdowns, won a lot of games. The three of us are among the best at what we do and we are great friends and will continue to be. “I love playing with each other and that was kind of a moment.”

There’s no doubt that Bengals fans are hoping this moment can last for a long time.