Bengals Prepared To Franchise WR A.J. Green If They Can’t Get Extension Done

Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Bengals plan to use their franchise tag on WR A.J. Green if they’re unable to come to an agreement on a contract extension next year.

According to Dragon, the two parties are “far apart” in negotiations at this point in time.

The franchise tag would cost the Bengals around $18 million fully guaranteed for the 2020 season. It would also buy them time to negotiate an extension.

Earlier in the day, Green said that he’s fine with the franchise tag, but would obviously prefer a long-term commitment. 

“I have no problem with the franchise [tag],” Green said, via Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “I don’t like it, but I’m not a guy that’s going to sit out the whole year. But at the end of the day, that shows me they’re not committed to me. That’s fine. They have a business they have to run. As the player, I have my own business, so if you do that I have to protect myself.

“If you’re not committed to me long-term, I understand. There are no hard feelings. You have a business to run. All great businesses face difficult decisions. I understand that. For me, I have to make a big decision as well.”

Green visited foot specialist Dr. Robert Anderson on Monday in Green Bay and is not expected to play in the team’s final two games of the 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.

We have him featured in our Top 50 – 2020 Free Agents list.