Green is an appropriate name for A.J. Green.
Prior to the start of the 2015 season, Green signed a four-year, $60-million extension with the Bengals, keeping the All-Pro receiver under contract until he's 31-years-old. Over those four new years added onto Green's contract, he'll earn an average of $15 million annually, which is currently the highest of any NFL wide receiver, according to Spotrac.
That deal also included a $15 million signing bonus and $6 million roster bonus paid in March in addition to Green's $11.75 million base salary in 2015. That means he's earned over $31 million from the Bengals over the past year.
That would help explain why Green was named to Forbes' 100 highest-paid celebrities of the past year. Green comes in at a tie for 82nd overall on the list, sharing that spot with tennis star Kei Nishikori and the band Maroon 5. Green is also ahead of names like actor Robert Downey Jr., actor Melissa McCarthy, NBA star James Harden, the Dave Matthews Band, and even track star Usain Bolt.
Those are the kind of names that Green is on par with in terms of how much green he's been racking up over the past year through his salary and numerous endorsement deals. I would venture to say Green will be the Bengals' highest-grossing player for the foreseeable future between his annual salary and future endorsements.
This past year, Green racked up 86 receptions for 1,297 yards (15.1 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns, marking the fifth straight season in which Green topped the 1,000-yard mark. For his efforts, Green earned a spot in the Pro Bowl, his fifth such selection.
At just 27 years of age, we should expect to see Green putting up big numbers and raking in bigger dollars for many years to come.