Bengals: Five soon-to-be free agents likely to walk this offseason

Bengals free agents likely to walk: WR A.J. Green

It’s a difficult reality for many Bengals fans to face, but after a nine-year career filled with plenty of legendary performances, we could be witnessing the final moments of A.J. Green in the orange and black.

Those residing in the Queen City know the story all too well. After a scorching hot start to begin his professional career, Green suffered injuries that sidelined him for a year and a half. Once the motor that kept Cincinnati’s offense churning, he has seemed like a shell of his former self since his return.

The club is paying him just north of $18M this season but the production has not matched his salary. Through 12 weeks, the former superstar has come away with just 357 receiving yards and a single touchdown.

With the emergence of Tee Higgins and the continued dominance of Tyler Boyd, it seems unlikely that the organization will be willing to cough up the kind of contract Green is hoping for.

There are other franchises on the brink of championships looking for wide receiver help that will likely be willing to overlook Green’s recent downtick in performance for the chance to help him regain his form. The Green Bay Packers are the first example to come to mind and it seems like a very real possibility that a team like that could lure Green away.

The stellar wideout has been everything the Bengals ever could have asked for. His loyalty to the franchise, the city, and the fan base has been second to none. The hope should be that he can finish his career in stripes.

However, logistically, it doesn’t make much sense for either party. The football world will have to wait and see what kind of contract Green is seeking and what kind of offer the front office is willing to make but at this point, it seems more likely than not that Green will walk once the season is up.