In a not-so-shocking turn, the Cincinnati Bengals will exercise the franchise tag on star wideout A.J. Green if it means keeping him from free agency this offseason.
So says a new report from Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer:
“If the two parties fail to reach an agreement before free agency opens in March, the Bengals are committed to franchise tagging the seven-time Pro Bowler to keep him off the open market, a high-level source told The Enquirer.”
Green had opened up with the media about his injury Tuesday before this report broke, that on the heels of his meeting with a foot specialist Monday.
In short, Green won’t play this year while still working his way back from the injury he suffered on the first day of training camp. It won’t impact his offseason workouts as he gets ready for next season, but troubles with range of motion will keep him off the field for the team’s final two games.
The scope of the situation always implied franchise tag, which Green has said he won’t hold out over. Green wants a long-term pact somewhere but the Bengals — and perhaps other teams — want to see more considering he’s missed a huge chunk of time over the past few seasons.
Think of a tag like a prove-it deal for the veteran who hasn’t been able to escape the injury bug lately. It would extend Green’s time in Cincinnati by at least one season while paying him about $18 million.
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