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UPDATE
According to Mike Berk of Local 12 in Cincinnati, the Bengals and wide receiver A.J. Green are closing in on an extension that could be signed as soon as today:
SOURCE: AJ Green "LIKELY" to sign extension today. #bengals #whodey stay tuned @Local12
— Mike Berk (@mike_berk) September 10, 2015
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network is also reporting that extension talks between the two sides have "ramped up significantly over the past few days."
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With the 2015 NFL season upon us, the Cincinnati Bengals and star receiver A.J. Green continue to work towardgetting a contract extension done.
Already this year we've seen the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons give massive extensions to Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant and Julio Jones respectively. While they all got deals that were in the neighborhood of each other, it may only serve as a floor for what Green wants.
In fact, Green is hoping to top them all with his potential extension with the Bengals, according to CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora:
Continue to hear Green's camp seeking to beat Julio Jones deal but I'm not sure Bengals budge that far. Would be lot of $ to leave on table
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) September 10, 2015
This doesn't bode well for Green and the Bengals getting a long-term deal done this year. Back in July, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Green intended to play out the final year of his contract in 2015, so maybe this has been Green's plan all along: Ask for a deal he's unlikely to get and go on to play out the final year of his deal in hopes he can increase his value for his next contract, whenever he ends up getting it.
Green's representatives met with the Bengals in February to "discuss signing him to a long-term deal," but the Bengals have not wanted to meet his demands to this point. While he's clearly established himself as one of the game's best wideouts, Green hasn't necessarily earned the right to be paid more than Jones, Thomas and Bryant.
After all, Green is coming off a season in which he recorded career-lows in yards (1,041), touchdowns (6) and games played (13). He missed three games in the regular season due to turf toe, and missed the Wild Card playoff loss to the Colts with a concussion.
Still, if Green goes out and has a big 2015 season, don't be surprised if the Bengals give in to his demands next offseason.