The Cincinnati Bengals want to sign wide receiver A.J. Green to a contract extension.
Bengals owner Mike Brown told Fletcher Page of the Cincinnati Enquirer (via Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams) at the NFL Owners Meetings in Phoenix, Az. on Wednesday Green is “a proven commodity”:
“Oh, I think he's a proven commodity, isn't he? The price range for him will be something for him to will be something we can figure out, will come together.
It's true with anyone if they suddenly get an injury that it reduces them. Well, that changes the equation, but I never plan on that happening. I like to think that won't happen. If A.J. is healthy, he's as good a receiver as anybody in the league.”
Green enters the final year of his contract with the Bengals (his ninth overall with the team). He will earn $12 million during the 2019 NFL season.
When healthy, Green is one of the elite wideouts in the AFC North. He has had at least 1,057 receiving yards in six of his first eight seasons in Cincinnati. His best season to date was in 2013. That year, he had 11 touchdowns and 1,426 yards on 82 receptions. These stats back up Brown's claim.
Green sustained a toe injury in 2018 which forced him to sit out eight games. As a result, he had a career-low 687 yards and just 45 receptions. He also missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career.
The Bengals hope a rejuvenated Green will take the field with a renewed enthusiasm in 2019. Not only does Brown have his back on an extension, but he should also pick up where he left off before the toe injury.
Green and Co. must exceed expectations during the 2019 NFL season – Cincinnati hasn't won a postseason game in 28 years. A healthy Green and a new head coach in Zac Taylor might just be what the Bengals need in order to reach the next level.
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