The Cincinnati Bengals are planning to exercise the franchise tag on star wide receiver A.J. Green, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN:
The Bengals currently plan to franchise tag wide receiver A.J. Green, as they want him in Cincinnati in 2020 either through the tag or a longer deal, sources told @DanGrazianoESPN and me. A good selling point for the team's No. 1 pick.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 1, 2020
This should not come as much of a surprise to football fans. The Bengals have repeatedly stated their desire to work out a new contract with Green, and this should buy them time to renegotiate a separate deal.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor also said he believed Green would remain with the Bengals at least through the 2020 season (via Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer):
“Very confident. We want him to be a part of Cincinnati,” Taylor said. “He's got a great history with the organization. He's been a great member of the community, a great leader on our team. Even facing the adversity, he faced the last year-and-a-half, he's been around in all the meetings. I've really enjoyed getting to know A.J. I look forward to coaching A.J. really for the first time going into next season.”
The former Georgia Bulldog made the Pro Bowl in each of his first seven seasons in the league, but durability issues have put a damper on his career, as of late. Green did not play in the 2019 season after missing nearly half the year due to injuries in 2018.
Still, this decision is likely a no-brainer for the Bengals brass.
Green is one of the most talented wideouts in the league when healthy. Moreover, his presence should give purported No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow a legitimate receiving threat in his rookie season, which in fact might be the biggest consideration in the long run.
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