The Cincinnati Bengals have started fresh with a new coaching staff and a rejuvenated fanbase. Now, they must keep their fan-favorite receiver, A.J. Green in Cincinnati following this season.
The Bengals, who have been notoriously cheap in free agency outside of keeping their own, may have to throw the checkbook at the receiver many consider to be in the league’s top-ten. They could even look to offer Green an extension.
That said, Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs’ breakout superstar receiver, is negotiating a contract that’s said to be “record-breaking.” Odell Beckham Jr.’s five-year, $90 million set the record for receivers last offseason.
Hill put up over 1,400 receiving yards last season and tallied 12 touchdowns as well. While Green’s never had a season quite as dominant, he’s also yet to play with an All-Pro quarterback.
Hill could see a nine-figure contract extension.
For Green, he’s got some forces working against him. He’s five years older than Hill and is starting to become much more injury-prone, missing 13 games over the last three seasons.
That said, Green’s contract is already a top-ten contract for receivers. I wouldn’t expect to see another contract worth over $15 million or at least not combined with long-term years as well.
One similar and recently signed contract was Alshon Jeffery’s. He signed a four-year, $27 million contract back during December of 2017. The now 29-year-old isn’t as highly regarded as Green, but he is younger.
Green will get more than Jeffrey did, but don’t expect Green to secure a record-breaking contract like the 25-year-old Hill potentially can.
