Cincinnati Bengals star receiver A.J. Green figures to be up next with the Atlanta Falcons reportedly agreeing to a massive, three-year, $66 million extension with wide receiver Julio Jones.
Per those reports, Jones is getting a stunning $64 million in guarantees upon signing.
Considering the Bengals waited until the last Jones extension in Atlanta to do one with Green, the team doesn’t figure to be far behind here.
Financially speaking, Jones’ new deal puts him near the $22 million AAV mark. That blows past AAV of other recent deals like Michael Thomas’ $19 million AAV and Odell Beckham Jr.’s $18 million AAV.
Jones went from $13 million AAV to the $22 million, so Green should make a big jump from his current $15 million AAV on his next extension. Keep in mind Green’s last deal in 2015, with inflated annual value, was already right at the $20 million mark anyway.
The big difference between Jones and Green at this stage — of course — is health. Jones has only missed two games dating back to 2015 and easily outplayed his contract, while Green has missed 13 games over the same span.
Both parties have made it clear Green staying in Cincinnati is likely, but his availability as of late and the fact he’s hurt again going into his contract season should mean he slots well under Jones’ number.
But this is Cincinnati, where the front office takes care of its own. Green getting close to Jones-type numbers, especially with incentives, wouldn’t come as much of a surprise. It could happen soon too now that the market is set.
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