MARCH 16: Less than two hours before the tag-applying deadline, the Bengals informed Green he will be tagged, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The 31-year-old standout voiced opposition to this move months ago and is coming off a season-long absence.
But after Burrow indicated he would like to have Green in the fold, should he become Cincinnati’s top pick, the Bengals followed through on their expected course of action. A Green tag will cost the Bengals $17.9MM.
MARCH 1: The Bengals plan to put the franchise tag on wide receiver A.J. Green, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The club wants him back in 2020, either on the tag or under a new multi-year pact.
The move will not make Green too happy, as he has previously indicated that he is opposed to the franchise tag. He conceded he would not engage in a season-long holdout if he and Cincinnati cannot work out a new contract, but he is open to holding out throughout the offseason program and training camp. Given that the Bengals will presumably have rookie QB Joe Burrow under center in 2020, Green’s presence during the spring and summer months will be especially crucial, so look for the team to ramp up negotiations in short order.
Of course, determining fair market value for Green won’t be easy. He will doubtlessly be shooting for the top of the wide receiver market, and his abilities and track record make that a fair ask. But he missed the entire 2019 campaign due to an ankle injury, and he hasn’t suited up for a game since Week 13 of the 2018 season. Plus, he will be 32 before the 2020 regular season gets underway, so player and team may have a hard time finding a middle ground.
The Bengals would not have been a playoff team in 2019 even with a healthy Green, but his presence was sorely missed. Cincinnati’s offense was one of the least efficient units in the league last year, and the club finished near the bottom of the pack in terms of yards per game and points per game.
Green, who made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven years in the league, has topped 1,000 yards every year in which he has appeared in at least 13 games. He has averaged nearly 15 yards per catch in his career, and he has reach double-digit touchdowns three times. He was, without question, one of the best receivers in the league. The Bengals need to figure out if he still is.
I think a 3 year/$50 million deal with like $30-$35 guaranteed would work
have fun with that Cincinnati!!
Why? He’s on the older side for a WR at 32. He hasn’t hardly played in the past 2 years. He should be thrilled to get a franchise tag 1 year deal. He should run to sign if offered.I wouldn’t even offer that.
Why pay that much for a WR’s history while getting little return on investment?Let him see what the market will pay him and then when he finds out there’s little there… pick discussion back up
He should be happy to be franchised. He’s worth nowhere near that much money with his age and injury history.
If he’s worried about money, I agree. I get the feeling he’d take quite a bit less to not have to play in Cincinnati.
No doubt … looks like Burrow will have some receivers if healthy. Green, Boyd , Ross and Tate are a good foursome. Now go get Hunter Henry …. mix in some Mixon , upgrade the line … who knows maybe have something
I agree I think both hooper and Henry would enhance the offense as long as they’re not tagged but I think hooper will cost too much and that makes Henry the logical choice
I’m honestly a little excited for the Bengals.. and I’m a Steeler fan.
Need help on that O-line tho or you’re gonna get the dude killed
He is lucky. Dez Bryant couldn’t even get a vet min deal.
AJ never caused any distractions, despite being on a terrible team his whole career.
Despite being on a comtending team, Dez was always a terrible person.
A.J. Green went to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons.
Dez Bryant went to the playoffs twice in his entire career.
Thanks for playing, though.
Contending doesn’t necessarily mean just making the playoffs.
The Bengals have been pitiful, the cowboys have a few playoff wins under their belt and have not been a bottom dweller any season like the Bengals have been
The cowboys have 1 playoff win in 25 years.
Didn’t see your comment, I just made basically the same comment. The Bengals are always an easy target, facts don’t matter! smh
Terrible team? He was in the playoffs in 5 of the 8 seasons he played.
Why don’t you actually check your info before you make comments you know nothing about.
The Bengals frustrate the hell out of me most of the time, but I would definitely franchise him. He’s turning 32 and has played 9 games in the last 2 years.
Sounds like an oxymoron
Cut me some slack, I’m a lifelong Bengal fan. It’s not an easy thing!
I’m a steeler fan but I’m jealous you’re getting Burrow lol… well as long as they don’t botch the easy pick
Just what AJ wants to stay in Cincy purgatory. LoL
People wonder why certain teams are always bad and this why bad management.
Why would you franchise an old WR with an injury history that just missed the entire last season due to injury?
hopefully to trade him if they’re smart
So dumb
Why not do him a favor and trade him out of purgatory to a real contender.
Burrows comments had nothing to do with the Bengals tagging AJ. They have consistently said they would tag him if they couldn’t reach a deal. Why the misleading comment in the story?