As expected, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green won’t hit free agency.
The Bengals used the franchise tag on Green on Monday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The tag comes at an estimated cost of roughly $18 million and locks in Green for at least another season and extends the window for an extension until mid-July.
While Green has said publicly multiple times the tag isn’t his desired outcome — he wants long-term commitment — he’s also said he’ll still play under it.
This was the likeliest of outcomes here as the two parties hit an impasse. Green wants a long-term deal but the Bengals didn’t want to gamble on a top-line deal for a player who missed all of last season and multiple games over prior seasons.
CBA negotiations muddying the potential cap situation and even the potential delay of free agency itself complicated matters on this front too.
For now, this is a middle ground for both parties. Green gets paid and has a chance to earn an extension, the Bengals retain a franchise legend and potential top-20 wideout to work with probable first-overall pick Joe Burrow.
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