Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor isn’t ready to weave in A.J. Green’s contract situation when discussing the star wideout’s latest setback.
Swelling in Green’s ankle means he won’t be able to give it a go in Week 10 against Baltimore unlike what the situation had seemed to suggest.
But for Taylor, he’s sure this has nothing to do with the fact Green remains without an extension and is due to hit free agency this offseason, per ESPN’s Ben Baby:
“Zero. I 100 percent believe he wants to be out there. But that’s for him to say. But just my conversations with him, he’s one of the most genuine and honest players that you’re around in this league. I trust whatever he says.”
Green has indeed always been very candid, even previously noting if the team doesn’t think he can get healthy then it should let him go.
But it’s hard not to make the connections here. The Bengals are 0-8 and just benched a starting quarterback. A deal isn’t done, so it’s clear extension talks remain far apart. Green has a chance to hit free agency if no agreement happens, or a tag and trade could always be on the table this offseason.
So while this might indeed just be an injury that keeps swelling up, it is certainly understandable that Taylor will have to field these sorts of questions until Green actually gets back on the field.
