The Cincinnati Bengals used the franchise tag on wide receiver AJ Green this year, though they have long insisted their interest in reaching an extension with Green. As for running back Joe Mixon, an extension is more unclear.
Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Inquirer reported the Bengals are “closer” to getting a deal done with Green than they are with Mixon (via Chris Rolling of USA TODAY):
According to Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer, who appeared on the Bengals Beat Podcast with Lindsay Patterson, the Bengals are closer with Green:
“They do want Joe Mixon and A.J. Green back long-term. I know that for sure…I can confidently say they are closer to getting A.J. Green’s deal done. Not saying it’s going to get done, but they are closer with A.J. than they are with Joe Mixon. I can report that.”
That’s maybe not too surprising, as we know the Bengals had had prior talks with Green before and around his injury that derailed last season. Mixon’s possible extension is more of a new wrinkle that could lead to whispers of a holdout this summer.
The Bengals also have other factors to consider in their pursuit of an extension with Green. For example, the desire to have a No. 1 receiver for LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, whom the Bengals are likely to select with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Still, the Bengals might run into some trouble with Mixon if they do not try to extend him this summer. He is in the final year of his contract and is set to make a base salary of just over $1.2 million in 2020.
Mixon went over the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season in 2019 and averaged 4.1 yards per carry despite the total absence of a passing game.
It certainly is possible Mixon could choose to hold out this summer.
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