Bengals Intend To Pick Up WR A.J. Green’s 2015 Option

Bengals owner Mike Brown told reports on Sunday that they will pick up WR A.J. Green‘s fifth-year option this offseason.

“Even though we haven’t tendered him yet our intention is to do that and put ourselves in position to turn to others such as [Andy] Dalton and we would like to turn to a couple more as well,” Brown said, via the Cincinnati Enquirer. “We would like to get something long term but at least we know with A.J. we have two years. With some of the others we have one year.”

The fact that the Bengals are prepared to pick up Green’s fifth-year option shouldn’t come as much of a surprise given that some have mentioned every team who had a 2011 first-round pick could pick up their options on these players. This is because the tenders are not guaranteed, so releasing them wouldn’t be an issues, even after they picked up the option.

There has been talk for a few months now regarding a long-term deal with Green, but it appears as though Cincinnati is no closer to an agreement at this point in time.

Green, 25, is already in the discussion for the best receiver in the league and is in position to eventually be paid like one.

Here’s a simple look at the top receiver contracts as of now:

• Calvin Johnson: eight-years, $150.5M total, $60M guaranteed.
• Larry Fitzgerald: eight-years, $128.5M total, $50M guaranteed.

Green should have a good shot at coming close to Fitzgerald’s contract if he continues to perform at such a high level while staying healthy next season.

He still has one-year remaining on his rookie contract that will pay him a base salary of $3,059,739 in 2014.

Last year, he totaled 98 receptions for 1,426 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns.