A.J. Green signs franchise tag tender and will report to training camp

Bengals wide receivers A.J. Green has officially signed his franchise tag tender, the team announced Friday. The team also said Green will report to training camp with the rest of the team later this month.

“From the day that he joined our organization nine years ago, A.J. Green has been an outstanding player and a class act,” said Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn in a press release. “We are pleased that he will be part of the team this year, starting with the first practice. By signing, A.J. puts himself and the team in the best position to have a great season together, and we look forward to the opportunity at the end of the season to discuss keeping him here long-term. He has been an integral part of our team, and we expect this year that he will be the same impact player he has always been.”

Green, who was hit with the franchise tag this offseason, will make about $18 million this coming season. However, the tag prevents both sides from working out a contract extension until next offseason. The deadline for tagged players to sign an extension was July 15th.

“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.”

There was some thought Green could skip part of training camp, especially after he suffered what effectively was a season-ending ankle injury on the first day of camp last year. But it sounds like he’s ready to hit the ground running with No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow in what hopes to be a resurgent 2020 season for the Bengals.

Who Dey!