The Cincinnati Bengals announced Friday that WR A.J. Green has officially signed his franchise tender for the 2020 season.
“From the day that he joined our organization nine years ago, A.J. Green has been an outstanding player and a class act,” said Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn. “We are pleased that he will be part of the team this year, starting with the first practice. By signing, A.J. puts himself and the team in the best position to have a great season together, and we look forward to the opportunity at the end of the season to discuss keeping him here long-term. He has been an integral part of our team, and we expect this year that he will be the same impact player he has always been.”
“A.J. is one of the best receivers in the NFL,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “He’s an important part of our plans, and we’re thrilled to have him in the fold from Day 1. We’re looking forward to the impact of his talent and leadership on our offense this season.”
This means that Green will report on time for the start of training camp.
The franchise tag will cost the Bengals around $18 million fully guaranteed for the 2020 season.
Green, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Bengals back in 2011. He just finished 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 has landed on injured reserve each of the past two seasons after undergoing surgery for torn ligaments in his toe in 2018 and tearing ankle ligaments in training camp in 2019.
Green will, once again, be in line to be an unrestricted free agent in 2021.
In 2018, Green appeared nine games for the Bengals and caught 46 passes for 694 yards receiving and six touchdowns.
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