Even though the Bengals are reportedly on the verge of announcing their historic contracts with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they continue to do what they've been doing since free agency opened and are looking to make acquisitions in the runup to next month's NFL Draft.

The extension to Chase, the NFL's biggest non-quarterback deal, and the contract for Higgins, the biggest for a No. 2 receiver in the league, mark the Bengals' 12^th and 13^th moves of free agency, according to CBS Sports.

Only nine teams have made more signings, extensions and trades. In the AFC North, the Steelers (nine), Ravens (seven) and Browns (six) have combined for 22. Even as the Chase-Higgins news marinated Monday morning, the Bengals made another move when vet backup linebacker Oren Burks signed a two-year deal.

Burks could be more than that. Here's a guy who has started the last two Super Bowls for different teams and last month had seven tackles in the middle of an Eagles defense that held Patrick Mahomes and company to 275 yards.

Burks turns 30 this Friday, an age the Bengals often shy away from when it comes to free agents on other teams. But this is not your typical week in Bengaldom and Burks isn't your typical backer. He's played in 15 postseason games, among them five NFC title games.

"I checked in and out of my physical today in 30 minutes," Burks said Monday after signing the deal. "If you're going into year eight and you've got a quick physical, that's a good sign."

As he quickly checked his Twitter feed late Sunday night, he was lifted with the news of his new team's receivers. Thanks to intrepid Bengals radio voice Dan Hoard, we now know no player has made it to three straight Super Bowls on three different teams and Burks would like to change that.

"That was part of the equation. I wanted to go to a team where I could compete. We definitely have the roster to do that," Burks said. "Last night we picked up two big ones with the receivers coming back. I feel like we've got a lot of great things going on here.

"With those guys appearing with (Joe) Burrow, it's going to be a high-powered offense. We have to hold our own (on defense). I'm ready to do my part."

The agreements with Chase and Higgins unofficially end the first free-agent wave of roster acquisition. Now there's the next wave, as well as potential trades before and during next month's draft, as well as the six draft picks the Bengals have.

As the calendar moves into spring ball and the summer, the waiver wire begins to percolate. Training camp, preseason games and the final roster cut all represent chances to make final moves before Opening Day.

Just look at three players the Bengals recently re-upped.

Bengals' Rookie of the Year punter Ryan Rehkow was an undrafted free agent last year who had been cut and signed in the first days of training camp. Defensive tackle B.J. Hill, a 2021 playoff hero, arrived that year during a trade 10 days before the opener. Another Bengals playoff hero, running back Samaje Perine, came off waivers three days after the 2020 draft.

WARM WELCOME

Burks got a warm Cincy welcome even though he was 4,000 miles away in Maui when he agreed to terms last week.

As a member of the NFL Players Association executive committee meeting in paradise, Burks got a gift from new teammate Ted Karras, the Bengals' player rep.

"There were two Cincy hats waiting for me the day after he figured out I was agreeing to terms," said Burks Monday after he signed at Paycor Stadium pretty much off the plane from Hawaii. "It was great to get to know Ted the last couple of days. He has his head on his shoulders."

So does Burks, a fellow pro's pro who, like Karras, comes to Cincinnati used to winning the big one. Burks, a special teams staple, just did last month when he came off the bench to play nearly every snap at linebacker for an Eagles defense that throttled the Chiefs.

It was his first ring, but not his first rodeo.

The year, before he played the second most snaps of his career when he took 71 during his 49ers' Super Bowl overtime loss to the Chiefs. Of the six games he's played his most snaps, four have been in the playoffs and two have been in the Super Bowl. He thinks he can add to his total of 15 postseason games in 2025 in his eighth NFL season and first in the AFC.

"I've seen this team from afar and know them as a contender the last couple of years and that's what I was looking for in free agency," Burks said. "To compete with a contender. It's definitely on the table. It starts with OTAs and building on that foundation that leads into camp and leads to the ultimate. The big one with the Super Bowl. We have to take it one day at a time, but we've got all the pieces we need."

The 6-3, 233-pound Burks is most likely the piece that replaces special teams captain and backup linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, now in Arizona via free agency. But Burks says he sees himself getting a shot to get some time despite a starting lineup currently manned by Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt.

Pratt has asked for a trade, but Burks is well acquainted with backing up talented duos and taking notes. When the 49ers opted to start three backers in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs, he was in there with one of the NFL's best tandems in Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.

Burks shares an agent with Wilson, and they have more than a passing relationship. He has enough admiration of Wilson's game to study it and already knows his 11 interceptions lead all backers in the 2020s.

"That goes unnoticed. The ones that know, they know. He's been doing it at a high level here for a long time," Burks said. "His play style pops out on tape. He finds a way to pick the ball or take it out and just the way he leads this defense is pretty cool. I'm excited to work with him."

No matter how much he plays where, Burks figures to lead.

"He's played in a lot of big games his teams have won and I'm sure he'll lead with that experience," said Bengals special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons. "Obviously, a smart guy. From Vanderbilt."

Plus, before he was named to the exec committee, he was a player rep for two seasons each in Green Bay and San Francisco.

"I definitely enjoy the leadership role," Burks said. "Just seeing what collectively we can do to make the work experience better for the guys coming down behind me. I was exposed to it pretty early in my career. (Packers kicker) Mason Crosby was the guy who kind of tapped my shoulder. For me, it's about paying it forward to the next generation of football."

NICE FIT

Burks knows what goes into making tackles. When the Eagles rested their starters in last year's regular-season finale, he had 17, two of them for loss, in the win over the Giants. A third-round pick of the 2018 Packers, Burks took note that former Green Bay defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery was here.

"I'm familiar with Jerry. I know his kids and his family very well," Burks said. "He's going to be a great piece for our defensive line, and I love playing with great defensive lines because that makes my job a lot easier. Knowing they'll be well-coached is a big piece of that."

Burks, who toured Paycor with wife Jocelyn and nine- month-old daughter Eliza, said they almost didn't fly in and thought about driving up from their offseason home in Nashville.