As we noted in this morning’s roundup of leftover items from Andy Dalton‘s new contract extension with the Bengals, Peter King of TheMMQB.com reported yesterday that A.J. Green received a text from head coach Marvin Lewis following Dalton’s signing, encouraging him to tell his agent to accelerate contract talks with the team. However, in spite of Lewis’ urging, Green isn’t expected to sign an extension anytime soon, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
It’s not clear whether Green or the Bengals are resisting serious talks at this point, or if there’s just a major disparity in their desired price tags. While Dalton had been heading into a contract year, his favorite target remains under team control through 2015 thanks to a fifth-year option, which will pay Green a little over $10MM in ’15 if no alternate agreement is reached. That means there’s no urgency at this point for either side to get something done, as the star wideout observed last month.
“I think I’m on the backburner just because of the option.” Green said. “That’s fine with me. I don’t even look at it like that. I just go out there and play and my time will come. … It’s not surprising. Teams always want to wait. I’m fine with my option and my $10MM. I’ll take it.”
Since being drafted fourth overall in 2011, Green has developed into one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers. 2013, Green’s third straight Pro Bowl season, was arguably his best year yet, as the 25-year-old established or matched career-highs in receptions (98), receiving yards (1,426), and touchdowns (11).