The Cincinnati Bengals are running out of time to come to a contract extension agreement with their star wide receiver, A.J. Green.
Things are starting to reach a critical level in the Queen City. The Cincinnati Bengals have until July 15th, exactly one month from today, to reach a long term agreement with their star wide receiver, A.J. Green. As things stand, the former Georgia Bulldog has yet to even sign his franchise tag, meaning he isn’t contractually obligated to attend camp, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The possibility of Green being absent in an offseason where the team is attempting to break in their rookie signal-caller has got to have the front office sweating, at least a little bit. If Joe Burrow is to meet the astronomical expectations thrust on his shoulders, he will certainly need the team’s best player present to build chemistry as quickly as possible.
Green seemed like he was ready to workout with Burrow as soon as possible earlier this offseason when speaking with the team website,
"“We’ve been talking back and forth. We were talking yesterday and I know he wants to get together and throw somewhere. I told him wherever he is, we’ll come to him. I don’t know where, when, how. It’s all who can fly where and when. He’s the quarterback. He makes his location and we have to get there.”"
It’s no surprise that Green has this type of attitude towards the situation but there is no telling what is going on behind the scenes. Things could have shifted and the fact that the 31-year-old has yet to sign his tender is something to keep an eye on.
On one hand, extending Green is a risky play. The Georgia native hasn’t been healthy for a season and a half and is on the wrong side of 30. Plus, the Bengals have plenty of young talent in the receiver room to help get things done.
But on the other side, Green has been a pillar of the franchise from the moment he was drafted. He’s been a superstar and at times, carried the team. Perhaps most importantly, he’s shown unwavering loyalty to the organization. How could the front office not repay that and ensure he’s a Bengal for life? They’ve made the mistake of letting their best players walk before.
Cincinnati is running out of time. If an extension isn’t agreed upon in a month’s time, the orange and black faithful could be gearing up for the last season of A.J. Green in stripes.