Joe Burrow's public attempts to encourage the Cincinnati Bengals to keep both of their star wide receivers don't seem likely to pay off. Per ESPN's

Near the end of the season, serious momentum seemed to suggest the Cincinnati Bengals would be able to keep Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins on long-term contracts. Now, a little pushback to the idea has arrived, courtesy of anonymous NFL executives.

The Cincinnati Bengals are ready to open contract negotiations again with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who likely is seeking to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL. Chase, 24, is entering the final season of his rookie deal and is coming off a season in which he won the receivers' triple crown,