The Bills’ path to potentially landing wide receiver AJ Green took a hit on Monday. With the deadline to franchise tag players approaching, the Bengals did exactly that, tagging Green, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
The Bills’ path to potentially landing wide receiver AJ Green took a hit on Monday. With the deadline to franchise tag players approaching, the Bengals did exactly that, tagging Green, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
It was previously expected the Bengals would do so, but what’s remained to be seen is how Green reacts to the news. Green’s tagging is the first time since 2013 the Bengals have tagged a player.
If the Bengals want to re-sign Green to longer deal, they’ll now have until July 15 to do so, or else Green will play the 2020 season on the tag. While most players don’t like the franchise tag because they want long-term contracts, Green will play for approximately $18 million next year. So he won’t be mad about that part.
While players will sometimes derail a situation once being franchise tagged, Green doesn’t seem to be that type of individual who would try to get out of it by forcing a move. However, there was some speculation that he could have returned to the field in 2019 toward the end of the season, but opted not to. He missed the entire season with foot/ ankle injuries.
In terms of the Bengals, tagging Green is likely a move for their No. 1 overall pick, which is going to be LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. Not a bad receiver for him to have. Someone Bills quarterback Josh Allen could have benefited from as well.
The Cincinnati Bengals are giving former Georgia Bulldog star wide receiver A.J. Green the franchise tag.
The Cincinnati Bengals are giving star wide receiver A.J. Green the franchise tag. Green, a former Georgia Bulldog, will not be able to hit NFL Free Agency since he’s been given the franchise tag.
The move is an expected one. Hopefully Joe Burrow will have success with A.J. Green, who has never won a playoff game in his NFL career.
Green will be an elite target for rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, who’s been stated saying he’d like A.J. to play with him. Cincinnati has the number one overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
A.J. Green will reportedly not attend OTAs since he got the franchise tag. That being said, there may be no OTAs for Green to attend due to the Coronavirus.
In recent years the Bills have landed some great value free agents and we’ll certainly see Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane tap into those types of players once again.
Despite the recent swing in daily life across the country in the past week, the NFL’s free agency period will go on as planned.
On Monday at noon, teams can start making deals with players, but those deals cannot be finalized until Wednesday at 4 p.m. We’re in for a bumpy ride in the rumor mill in the coming days.
In recent years the Bills have landed some great value free agents and we’ll certainly see Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane tap into those types of players once again. But this time around, could the Bills be suitors for some of the big fish on the market? Buffalo does currently enter this week with $75.5 million in salary cap space, third-most in the NFL per Spotrac.
With that, here are six high-profile free agents the Bills could realistically target and land in the coming days:
Buccaneers wide receiver Breshad Perriman. Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
WR Breshad Perriman
Age: 26
Breshad Perriman is a breakout candidate that some team will take a chance on. As a former first-round pick, his rookie season was derailed by injury with the Ravens and then he had three-straight disappointing campaigns that followed. In 2019, his fortunes changed.
As that season went on for the Buccaneers, he saw more and more playing time. Perriman, 26, turned into a vertical threat last season as he notched 36 catches, 645 yards and six touchdowns, all career-highs. In addition to his solid 6-foot-2 frame, Perriman also ran a 40-yard dash time of somewhere between 4.19 seconds and 4.25 at his pro day, and Perriman seemed to have fixed any problems he had with dropping the ball. Over the past two seasons, he only has one drop, according to Pro Football Focus.
Overall, Perriman’s had more tough times in his career than good ones. But his final three-game stretch in 2019, one which saw him grab 17 catches for 349 yards with four touchdowns will cause one team to add a few more digits to his contract for next season. Exactly how many is to be determined, but it’s certainly a contract the Bills could fit.
Numerous Georgia Bulldogs are scheduled to become NFL free agents this off-season including: A.J. Green, Reshad Jones, and more.
Numerous Georgia Bulldogs are becoming NFL free agents this off-season. Each of these Bulldogs will get one of the largest paydays of their life or simply another shot to make an impact in the NFL.
NFL free agency kicks-off on Monday, March 16th when the legal tampering period begins. March 16th is also the deadline for teams to place a franchise tag on players. The new CBA is currently being voted on and could complicate the free agency process.
There’s no doubt about the top potential University of Georgia product who could be headed for NFL Free Agency: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green. The Bengals are expected to give Green the franchise tag to prevent him from hitting free agency.
When healthy A.J. Green is one of the elite wide receivers in the NFL. Unfortunately he missed the entire 2019 season after suffering an ankle injury in training camp. Swelling prevented his attempted return late in the season.
Green, who is 31 years old, has over 600 career receptions for 8,907 yards. He’s scored 63 touchdowns as well, but has never won a playoff game. Will he sign the franchise tag with Cincinnati or holdout? The Bengals have needs across the board and may want to stick with their talented young receivers, who will look to mesh with projected number one overall pick Joe Burrow.
New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins will be in for a massive raise. Jenkins led New York in sacks in 2019 with 8.0 sacks. The Jets are desperate for a better pass rush. Green was the only Jets linebacker or defensive lineman with more than three sacks! Look for him to command around ten million dollars per season.
Sep 8, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (48) celebrates during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Recently released linebacker Alec Ogletree will be looking for another payday. The New York Giants elected to release him instead of paying his hefty salary. At 28 years old, Ogletree is still in his prime and will command league-wide interest.
The Miami Dolphins released veteran safety Reshad Jones to open up cap space. Jones, when healthy, is an impact player. At 32 years old, Jones will sign a shorter deal.
John Jenkins, who played in 16 games for the Miami Dolphins as a defensive tackle, is set to be a free agent as well. Jenkins is coming off one of his best seasons, where he recorded one sack along with 34 total tackles. Look for him to re-sign in Miami.
Buffalo Bills receiver Isaiah McKenzie will hit the NFL Fee Agent market. The 24 year-old had an career-best 2019 campaign, where he caught 27 passes for 257 receiving yards and scored a touchdown. His versatile skill-set will be coveted.
Ben Watson, who played with the New England Patriots in 2019, is a free agent. Watson announced his retirement following New England’s defeat to the Tennessee Titans in the postseason. Watson has returned after retiring before, so don’t be shocked if he plays one more season.
Bonus: Las Vegas Raiders running back Isaiah Crowell, who missed the 2019 season with an Achilles injury, is set to become a free agent. Crowell never got to play for the Raiders, but he’ll look to make an impact somewhere in 2020.
Texas football is now pursuing a four-star playmaker out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It’s not easy to sway a top prospect out of state when he’s already received offers from in-state schools such as Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
Four-star athlete AJ Green is a standout defensive back and running back from Union High School in Tulsa. According to 247Sports, he’s the No. 2 prospect in the state of Oklahoma out of the 2021 recruiting class.
Crystal Ball predictions currently show the Sooners as the favorite to sign Green, but the Longhorns could make a late push to land this special playmaker.
A look at the reasons why spirits should be high in Baltimore and their tradition as one of the best franchises in football will continue.
I know it can be disheartening when a team with one of the best seasons in franchise history –maybe even NFL history if you count all the records broken — suffers an unexpected and somewhat uncharacteristic loss at the hands of a seemingly lesser team. But for the Baltimore Ravens, all is certainly not lost after the 2019 season.
Sure, every season is a proverbial question mark before it eventually takes shape, even for the most successful NFL franchises when you account for all the variables. But the Ravens have a lot to be excited about heading into what is typically an uncertain future.
Let’s take a look at 10 reasons why spirits should be high in Baltimore and their tradition as one of the best franchises in football will continue.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Lamar Jackson
We have to start with the NFL’s most electric quarterback. It’s hard not to be excited about the future with the prospect of Jackson leading the offense in Baltimore for years to come.
In only his second year, Jackson seemingly defied all the odds, all the naysayers, and all the NFL records on his way to an unprecedented season and MVP honor.
Even though he has yet to win a playoff game, what Jackson accomplished this season — passing for over 3,000 yards, rushing for the new league record by a quarterback, and leading the league in touchdown passes — was nothing short of remarkable. His losses in the postseason are only fueling his desire to win and ultimately fulfill his promise of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Baltimore.
AJ Green, a possible free agent target for the Bills, will reportedly be franchise-tagged by Cincinnati.
A possible target of the Buffalo Bills will reportedly be taken off the market in the near future, according to ESPN. Many observes of the Bills are clamoring for the team to add wide receiver AJ Green ahead of free agency, but a report indicates that the Bengals are going to try and keep him via the franchise tag:
The Bengals currently plan to franchise tag wide receiver A.J. Green, as they want him in Cincinnati in 2020 either through the tag or a longer deal, sources told @DanGrazianoESPN and me. A good selling point for the team's No. 1 pick.
As mentioned by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, if the Bengals want to keep him, it’s probably to convince eventual No.1 overall pick, likely quarterback Joe Burrow, that the team wants to win… and win now.
Green’s name was kicked around as a possible option by pundits and fans to fill the Buffalo Bills’ hole at wide receiver. The team is in need of a game-breaking wide receiver, and Green’s No. 1 wide receiver status since entering the league in 2011 would meet that criterion.
The thought of Green helping bolster a developing wide receiver group was a nice thought for Bills fans. He would have undoubtedly given quarterback Josh Allen his best receiver threat as a pro.
Eliminating the prospect of the seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver hitting the open market, the Bills could set their eyes on another crop of free agent wide receivers. On top of that list is Dallas wideout Amari Cooper, although he has hinted that Buffalo is far from the ideal location if he were to leave the Cowboys.
After Green and Cooper, there’s a clear break to the next tier of free agent wide receivers. Emmanuel Sanders, Robby Anderson, Nelson Agholor, Breshad Perriman, and Randall Cobb make up the next-best options for teams searching for help at the wide receiver position.
Green sat out the entire season last year with the Bengals.
The Cincinnati Bengals will place the franchise tag on former Georgia wide receiver A.J. Greene, according to ESPN. Green, coming off a 4-year, $60 million contract, missed the 2019 season with torn ligaments in his ankle suffered during preseason. …
The Cincinnati Bengals will place the franchise tag on former Georgia wide receiver A.J. Greene, according to ESPN.
Green, coming off a 4-year, $60 million contract, missed the 2019 season with torn ligaments in his ankle suffered during preseason.
He also missed significant portions of the 2016 and 2018 seasons and the Bengals are hesitant to sign the 31-year old South Carolina native to a long-term deal.
Drafted in the first round by the Bengals in 2011, Green’s 8,907 receiving yards rank fourth since he entered the league. His 602 receptions is second in Cincinnati history, he’s second in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns (63).
After Green’s ankle injury, the Bengals announced they will franchise Green if they can’t reach a long term deal by free agency. Green, one of the league’s most respected players responded that he will play under the franchise tag but would not participate in OTA’s and probably skip training camp as well.
The franchise tag is estimated to be worth about $18.5 million and the two sides have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal.
With the Bengals expected to select LSU quarterback Joe Burrow with the number one pick, Green would be a huge asset for the Heisman Trophy winner.
The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly planning to give wide receiver A.J. Green, a former Georgia Bulldog, the franchise tag
The Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly planning to give star wide receiver A.J. Green the franchise tag. Green, a former Georgia Bulldog, would not be able to hit NFL Free Agency if he’s given the franchise tag.
Green would be a great target for rookie quarterback Joe Burrow, who’s been stated saying he’d like A.J. to play with him. Cincinnati has the number one pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Here’s how social media reacted to the news, which was initially reported by ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler:
The Bengals currently plan to franchise tag wide receiver A.J. Green, as they want him in Cincinnati in 2020 either through the tag or a longer deal, sources told @DanGrazianoESPN and me. A good selling point for the team's No. 1 pick.
— Clem (0-1-1 in Wank Battles) (@TheClemReport) March 1, 2020
With AJ Green wanting out of cincy, the Bengals plan on using their franchise tag on Green to keep him around for another year pic.twitter.com/yMlks4sJbz
— Sports Talk With Scott (@STwithScott) March 1, 2020
Since the Bengals are toxic and will keep AJ Green with any means possible. Saints WR targets in FA are Emmanuel Sanders, Devin Funchess, Randall Cobb, and Breshad Perriman.
— Saints 2020 Offseason Grind (@DaBossJohn) March 1, 2020
Rather than let Green explore the free agent market, Cincinnati will pay him $18.4 million for one season if they’re unable to work out a long-term deal.
The 49ers’ odds of scooping up Green were always slim given their financial constraints and the competition for his services. The only way San Francisco was going to sign him was if the market for him never developed and the 49ers were able to get him on a relatively cheap one-year deal.
They could conceivably still acquire him in the same kind of tag-and-trade scenario they used to get defensive end Dee Ford last offseason after he’d been tagged by the Chiefs. Some financial issues crop up there as well since trading for him would likely mean parting with a high 2021 draft pick, then paying him big money over a multi-year contract. That’s probably not something the 49ers will be able to do while inking DeForest Buckner and George Kittle to long-term deals.
While the 49ers do need to address some flaws in their receiving corps, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to do so in free agency. Even free agent Emmanuel Sanders could easily get priced out of the 49ers’ budget. Getting a player like Green was always a long-shot, dream scenario. Now it’s something less than that.
