The Cincinnati Bengals announced A.J. Green signed his franchise tender Friday.
It was the expected move for both parties after they failed to reach a long-term agreement on an extension before the Wednesday deadline.
Green will play on a tag worth roughly $17.9 million in 2020 and qualifies for free agency next offseason.
This was always the obvious route for things to go after his injury issues in recent years. Restrictions around team facilities during the coronavirus pandemic only made this more likely, as the Bengals would’ve wanted to see if Green can stay healthy before doing an extension.
We’ve looked at the cap space outlook for the Bengals from here after no long-term deal for Green. The free cap space number could now go to extensions for guys like Joe Mixon.
Green and the Bengals can talk about the long-term again after the season. But an Andrew Whitworth-like scenario thanks to an obscure rule is now in play if he leaves during free agency.
