The deadline to reach a long-term deal for players on the franchise tag passed earlier in the week. Regardless, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green was certainly in no rush to make sure the deal was set in stone.
According to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, Green is set to play the 22020 NFL season on an $18 million tag:
The Bengals announced that star WR AJ Green signed his franchise tag. He’ll report with his teammates to camp.
Although the Bengals managed to secure Green for another season, there remains plenty of speculation regarding his long-term future with the team beyond the 2020 campaign. The team is at least hoping that he can at least help spark a potential resurgence as a safety net for quarterback Joe Burrow going into his rookie season.
Despite his recent injury struggles, Green has long been a major contributor in Cincinnati since his arrival as a former first-round draft pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the most talented receivers in the NFL by being selected to seven straight Pro Bowls to start his career. He is currently entering this season second in franchise history with career receptions (602), receiving yards (8,907), and receiving touchdowns (63).
There is no question that a healthy Green is a game-changer on offense and will help pay huge dividends for Burrow as he tries to find his footing as a bonafide franchise quarterback. It remains to be seen if this will be his last season putting on a performance in a Bengals uniform.