A.J. Green going to the New England Patriots is something that has been thought about for years, mostly because former Cincinnati Bengals players always seem to end up in Foxboro and both franchises have such a great trading relationship.
Like always, it probably isn’t happening this time either.
But the Patriots are interesting nonetheless. They’re a team to watch because — at face value — Tom Brady is actually heading for free agency. That’s probably just posturing over an extension more than anything.
That won’t stop plenty of speculation though, including the suggestion Brady could end up back with the Patriots alongside a weapon like Green:
The Bengals aren’t likely to let that happen and hold all the cards there. Green is a free agent but this is blatantly heading toward a franchise tag if extension talks remain stalled.
But should things get nasty (they won’t), there is always an out via a tag-and-trade.
And even though it’s in the AFC, the Patriots would come up in that scenario. Mike Brown has bragged about his trading relationship with Bill Belichick. The front office is also intent on doing right by Andy Dalton, so the same might apply to Green — and him chasing a title with Brady would indeed be doing right by him.
Again, Green isn’t likely to go anywhere for many, many reasons. But Bengals fans will have to keep hearing about it until something official gets done.
