Bengals' Green signs $18.2M franchise tag

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green signed his franchise tag, which will pay him $18.2 million in 2020, the team announced Friday.

By inking the tender, Green is obligated to join his teammates for the beginning of training camp and participate in all mandatory activities. He'll be on track to hit free agency in 2021, but Green told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com that he plans to play another four years and hopes to retire in Cincinnati. He'll turn 32 at the end of July.

"A.J. is one of the best receivers in the NFL," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. "He's an important part of our plans, and we're thrilled to have him in the fold from Day 1. We're looking forward to the impact of his talent and leadership on our offense this season."

Green received the franchise tag March 16 after missing the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury. He expressed interest in signing a multi-year contract before the Wednesday deadline, but a deal didn't materialize.

One of the most durable receivers in the league over his first five seasons, Green has been ravaged by injuries in more recent times. Since 2016, he's played more than 10 games only once.

From 2011-17, Green posted six 1,000-yard campaigns and was hailed universally as one of the top receivers in the game. He fell shy of the 1,000-yard mark in 2016 but had 964 yards in only 10 games.

With the veteran's return cemented, the Bengals project to have Green, Tyler Boyd, and rookie Tee Higgins atop the depth chart at the position.

Cincinnati is looking to rebound from a brutal season in which the Bengals won just two games in Taylor's debut as head coach.

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