Tyler Boyd believes he was the missing factor that kept the Cincinnati Bengals from making back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.

Boyd suffered a deep thigh bruise early in the second quarter of the 23-20 loss. He said he would have finished the game if he was at least 80 percent healthy.

In his first day of offseason workouts, the veteran wide receiver met with reporters for the first time since the AFC championship loss to Kansas City.

"Still to this day, I feel like if I would have played the whole game, I was the key factor," Boyd said. "We would've won the game."

At the time of the injury, Boyd had two catches for 40 yards.

Tee Higgins appreciates Joe Burrow looking out for his Cincinnati Bengals' teammates while engaging in talks with the team about a long-term contract extension.

Higgins is in the final year of his rookie deal.

"Means a lot having a leader like him looking out for guys like us," Higgins said. "Obviously we talk about staying together for the long run. Hopefully, we can do that and get something negotiated to where they can keep all three of us."

Ja'Marr Chase will be up for a new deal after the 2023 season.

Joe Burrow isn't saying much about his ongoing contract negotiations with the Cincinnati Bengals.

However, the quarterback knows exactly what he's looking for in his next deal, which could make him the highest-paid player in the league.

Burrow said he's keeping teammates who could also receive contract extensions in consideration.

"Whenever you have guys on the team that need to be paid, that's always on your mind," he said. "You want that to be a focal point. We're working to make that happen."

The NFL has announced that the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 31 this season.

The rematch of the AFC Championship Game will take place in Week 17 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The full 2023 schedule will be announced on Thursday, but select games will trickle out between now and then.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins have spent time together this offseason.

Hamlin collapsed and went into cardiac arrest after tackling Higgins this past season in one of the most frightening sights ever seen on an NFL field. 

Tyler Boyd recently posted a picture on Instagram showing himself along with Hamlin and Higgins, plus Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, relaxing with some off-road vehicles.

Higgins has said he "wasn't in a good place" mentally after seeing Hamlin collapse on the field.