Bengals Could Get 1st-Rd Pick For A.J. Green, Other Players Also Drawing Trade Interest

According to Jason La Canfora, rival general managers believe the Bengals could get as much as a first-round pick if they decided to shop WR A.J. Green. 

La Canfora reports that any potential trade would be contingent on Green’s health and willingness to sign a new deal with his new team. He adds another obstacle is Cincinnati’s historic unwillingness to make blockbuster moves. 

Green has been negotiating with Cincinnati on an extension as he enters the final year of his deal, but La Canfora says its highly unlikely he signs with the Bengals. 

La Canfora mentions the Saints and Patriots as two teams most interested in upgrading their pass catchers. He adds both teams could also have interest in Bengals TE Tyler Eifert.

The Bengals will also likely have the opportunity to trade other players like DT Geno Atkins, DE Carlos Dunlap, OT Cordy Glenn and CB William Jackson if they choose, per La Canfora. 

Bengals QB Andy Dalton could also be made available for trade, though that deal is more likely to come during the offseason than the regular season. 

Green, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Bengals back in 2011. He’s entering the final year of his five-year, $70.176 million contract that included $26.75 million guaranteed and set to make a base salary $11.97 million in 2019. 

Green landed on injured reserve last season after undergoing surgery for torn ligaments in his toe. Green also injured his ankle early during training camp and has yet to play this season.

In 2018, Green appeared nine games for the Bengals and caught 46 passes for 694 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

Eifert, 29, is a first-round pick of the Bengals back in 2013. He played out the final year of his four-year, $8.256 million contract and finished the 2017 season under the fifth-year option.

The Bengals brought Eifert back on a one-year contract last offseason. He landed on injured reserve due to a broken ankle and re-signed again in Cincinnati for a year. 

In 2019, Eifert has appeared in four games for the Bengals and caught 11 passes for 81 yards receiving and one touchdown.

We’ll have more regarding the Bengals as the news is available.