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The NFL is working hard to finish off a new collective bargaining agreement as soon as this week.
But until a new agreement is reached, it’s causing a bit of havoc in the NFL with free agency set to open soon, not to mention teams can use the franchise tag starting today.
The Bengals have several key players either about to hit free agency like A.J. Green, or entering the final year of their contract like Joe MIxon.
As it turns out, the lack of a new CBA is putting a pause on contract talks between the Bengals and both Mixon and Green, according to Tyler Dragon.
Ongoing discussions regarding a potential new CBA have stalled contract negotiations with key Bengals players like A.J. Green and Joe Mixon, per sources. The team plans to franchise tag Green if a long-term deal isn't reached. Mixon is entering the final year of his contract.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) February 27, 2020
The assumption had been that Green would eventually be tagged, but it’s clear both sides are still holding out hope for a contract extension before the tag needs to be used.
As for Mixon, the Bengals will absolutely be making him a priority for a contract extension this year, so it’s good to see they were already talking before talks stalled. The Bengals typically get extensions done during training camp or the preseason, and I’d still expect that to be when a deal gets done for MIxon, if it does at all in 2020.