Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green told Elsie Jesse of WLWT that he doesn't want to play under the franchise tag next season. He did admit it would be hard to turn down the money that comes along with the tag, but he doesn't think it's the best business decision for the Bengals.

The Bengals have made clear they want him back, but have also said all options are still on the table for how they might bring him back.

“We are going to talk to him. All options are on the table. I don’t have anything to announce. But he’s a guy that we plan on having next year. Hopefully we will be able to get something done,” Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin said via Tyler Dragon of Cincinnati.com.

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GM Duke Tobin in the middle, Rome Odunze, T'Vondre Sweat, Brandon Coleman around him, and Cincinnati Bengals in the background.

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Even though the Bengals want him back, giving him a long term contract could be a big risk. In the past few seasons, the star receiver has had issues staying on the field. In 2016 he missed ten games with a hamstring injury, and in 2018 he missed nine games with a toe injury. He also missed the entire 2019 season because of ligament damage in his right ankle.

When healthy, Green is one of the best receivers in the NFL, but it's always a question if he is going to stay healthy. Even though Green doesn't want a franchise tag, it might be best so he can use it as a prove-it year to get a new long term deal.