The Cardinals’ already impressive receiving corp just added another big name. Arizona has agreed to terms on a deal with A.J. Green, a source told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link).
Green had been expected to leave Cincinnati all along. It’s a one-year deal worth “up to” $8.5MM with $6MM of that being guaranteed, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. The base value is $6MM with incentives that can push it higher, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network tweets. While Cardinals fans might be quick to get excited about this news, it could also indicate that fellow free agent Larry Fitzgerald is unlikely to return. Fitzgerald, 37, could decide to hang up his cleats or even continue playing with another team.
Green is now the second first-round pick from the 2011 draft the Cards have added this offseason after they already signed J.J. Watt. If they bring back Patrick Peterson, they’ll have three of the top 11 picks from that draft on the roster. Once one of the best receivers in the game, injuries limited Green to just nine contests in 2018 and he then missed the entire 2019 season.
He returned this past year to appear in all 16 games, but his role was greatly reduced in new coach Zac Taylor’s offense. He finished with just 47 catches for 523 yards, easily the lowest total of his career, including the nine-game campaign. His 694 yards in nine 2018 games would’ve projected out to 1,233 yards for a full season, so there are reasons to believe he’s still got something in the tank.
While it ended on a bad note, the fourth overall pick of the 2011 draft had an incredible run in Cincy. He set all sorts of franchise records while making seven Pro Bowls and three All-Pro teams. He didn’t seem to see eye to eye with the new Bengals management, and there was even some speculation back in October that he wanted to be traded although the wideout denied it.
Green will turn 33 in July, and he certainly won’t be the number one option in an offense that features DeAndre Hopkins. But he’s got a chip on his shoulder, and perhaps Hopkins’ presence will free things up for him. Here’s to hoping he rejuvenates his career in the desert.
I guess technically they’re getting younger at the position but is this an upgrade? I love AJ and I’ll miss him seeing him in stripes but he’s lost several steps and can’t get any separation. He’s a possession receiver at this point
With Kirk and Nuk, a possession receiver is all he needs to be
If hes healthy he’s a good #2
Only had 47 receptions but 104 targets. I’m sure an upgrade at QB will help Green. Burrow was fine, but once he went down Bengals didn’t really have a QB..
Check his numbers WITH Burrow. Just as awful and Burrow is better than Murray
guess no room for Dez now?
@Darkside830, exactly what I was thinking. Ha ha. The cards were like, um no thanks dez.
I like AJ Green but I think he’s washed
Too bad he wasted all those years in Cincy. He would’ve been something on a real team
A player that has been a pro bowler 7x hasn’t wasted his career no matter what team(s) he’s played for.
Cardinals are trying hard to win the 2015 Super Bowl
With a teenager at the helm.
Kyler Murray is 23
I’m not a mathmatologist by trade but I think that would have made him a teenager six years ago.
NO room at the inn Dez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thought the Parkers should tried a cheap 1 year deal on him or Sanders but missed on both.
Total waste. He’s lost multiple steps, is injury prone and soft. Plays like he’s closer to 43 than 33. Cards should have at least signed someone with a little bit of upside. Total waste of a roster spot.
John brown would have been a better fit vertically
What makes the cards receiving Corps impressive? It’s Hopkins and then a bunch of JAGS