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The Cincinnati Bengals, like nearly half the NFL, have a franchised player yet to sign a long-term deal.
All signs have pointed to Green playing out the 2020 season on that tag in what amounts to a prove-it season.
But what if the Bengals pursue another avenue such as a trade?
That’s an idea floated by ESPN’s Dan Graziano:
“The Bengals franchised Green and will pay him $17.971 million this year if they can’t reach an extension deal by July 15. There have been contract talks between Green and the Bengals, but his situation remains mysterious after he missed the 2019 season because of injury. If he’s healthy and can’t come to an agreement, could Green be trade bait for WR-needy teams on the July/August market?”
The odds the Bengals actually move Green? About five percent, tops. If they didn’t move him at last year’s deadline and held on to obvious departing players like Dre Kirkpatrick and Andy Dalton, they probably aren’t even picking up the phone on Green — and the trade return wouldn’t be good given his track record as far as staying healthy.
But it’s an interesting thought for odd times. The Bengals don’t have to worry about surrounding Joe Burrow with quality talent. He still has Tyler Boyd and John Ross at wideout, as well as borderline first-round pick Tee Higgins, whose most common comparison is Green.
If the Bengals decided to move Green, it’d mean more wiggle room for any number of key 2021 free agents like Joe Mixon, William Jackson, Carl Lawson and Ross.
Again — not happening. But as odd as it sounds, Green is a bit of a luxury gamble at this point. If a desperate contender came calling with an actual trade offer that would give the front office pause…it’d be interesting to be a fly on the wall in the room, to say the least.
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