The Cincinnati Bengals have earned some mixed reviews this offseason in response to the team’s handling of free agency and especially the contract extensions for Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. One underlying storyline that probably hasn’t come up enough is the idea that the Bengals don’t do extensions for both Chase and Higgins without loads of pressure from Joe Burrow.

Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan was with the Cincinnati Bengals when they drafted Joe Burrow, so he revisited the topic to gain perspective.

Over the past few months, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been the best salesman in the world. Burrow's goal: to make sure his wide receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins ...

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field after being sacked by Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) in the fourth quarter during Super Bowl 56, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The Cincinnati Bengals lost, 23-20. / Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

CBS Sports's Jeff Kerr feels as though Burrow is under some of the most pressure to win the Big Game in the NFL. Burrow ranked fifth among quarterbacks in Kerr's list of players with the most pressure to win a Super Bowl.

The Bengals have contract issues, on the field and off. Their lease at Paycor Stadium will expire on June 30, 2026 — unless they exercise an option to extend it by two years on or before June 30, 2025. Team executive V.P. Katie Blackburn was asked about the status of the lease during the recent league meetings.

Most mocks have pegged the Bengals to take defense in the first round. But it's clear the Bengals will continue to invest in the offense, especially given all the money they are now paying to quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. A first-round offensive lineman may not be the worst idea in the world.

The NFL schedule release hasn't happened yet, but someone in the know made a few interesting hints about the Bengals.