Joe Burrow shares 'support' for Bengals who requested trades

The Bengals had one of their best players on each side of the ball request a trade this offseason. 

Wide receiver Tee Higgins and edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson have both said they prefer to move on to a new team if Cincinnati will not give them the long-term security they're looking for.

While potentially losing both players could derail a team that seems ready to contend for a Super Bowl in 2024, quarterback Joe Burrow said he will support them no matter what.

"Those guys have their business they need to take care of. I support them in every way," Burrow said, via Geoff Hobson of the team's website. "Both those guys have earned everything that has come to them and more. I'll support them all the way through it. Whatever they feel like is best for their career. That's for them and their agents and their families to decide."

Higgins requested to be traded in March after being placed with the franchise tag. He hoped to stay in Cincinnati but revealed the team has not had any talks about a contract extension in about a year.

Although, it seems Higgins has come to terms that he'll be playing for the Bengals in 2024 after they were not interested in entertaining his request.

"I do anticipate it," Higgins told WLWT.

The 25-year-old has yet to sign his franchise tender, however, leaving his future with the team still up in the air.

Hendrickson requested a trade in April intending to get a long-term commitment from Cincinnati. He has two years left on his current deal, but neither year has guaranteed money attached to it.

Like Higgins, the Bengals said they were not willing to fulfill Hendrickson's trade request either, but his future in Cincinnati will still be in doubt until the situation is resolved.

Burrow may be fully supportive of Higgins and Hendrickson for now, but at the same time, he knows both players make the Bengals a much better team when on the field. Good thing there's still plenty of time between now and the start of the 2024 season.

"We are here to win football games. I really hope both those guys are here next year because we are a better football team with both of them," Burrow added. "They are both great locker room guys, too. They are going to do what they've got to do, but when the time comes for them to come back, if that time comes, we are going to welcome them back and hit our stride."