The Bengals have 44% of their cap going to 3 players on the team, all on one side of the ball and two at the same position.
Burrow has now what, 4th major injury out of the last 5 seasons?
IMO, you prioritize protecting your QB first, weapons second.
Burrow is a good enough QB that if he was adequately protected, would still be a superstar. He needed protection more than Higgins IMO.