In his first seven NFL seasons, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green made the Pro Bowl seven times with three seasons over 1,200 yards. But injuries have become a factor, as he missed six games in 2016, seven games in 2018 and an ankle injury cost him all of last season.
Green was headed for free agency this offseason, but the Bengals franchise tagged him. He hasn’t yet signed the tender, but he is expected to if a multi-year deal isn’t done by July 15.
Green would make $17.97 million this year on the franchise tag. Coming up on 32 years old (July 31) and with his recent durability issues, it makes little sense for the Bengals to commit big dollars to him over multiple years right now.
With an unlikely place in the Bengals’ long-term future, Green will stand as a trade candidate right up to the scheduled trade deadline this year. And it’s a foregone conclusion he will hit the open market unabated next March.
With an eye on him hitting the open market, here are five way-too-early landing spots for A.J. Green in 2021 NFL free agency.
