While the public reason for the Bengals’ lack of interest in a deal is that they are still looking to work out a long-term agreement with Higgins, as Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk notes, the optics may be as important to the Bengals as their actual plans for Higgins.

With the fate of several star players in limbo, Cincinnati re-signed tight end Mike Gesicki to a three-year, $25.5 million deal, according to NFL Network . The reunion comes as the Bengals face major decisions on two star receivers — Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase — this offseason.

Multiple teams inquired about the availability of franchise-tagged Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, but Cincinnati's appetite for parting with the No. 2 receiver remains unclear, according to reports.