Veteran receiver AJ Green, one of the most productive players in franchise history during his ten years with the Cincinnati Bengals, is finalizing a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals worth up to $ 8.5 million, said a source on Wednesday to Adam Schefter, ESPN. .
The deal guaranteed $ 6 million, a source told ESPN.
Green, who turns 33 at the start of next season, will fill a much-needed WR2 hole for the Cardinals and will be the complementary piece for DeAndre Hopkins that the team has been looking for. Green has the most receiving yards in the past ten years, while Hopkins is third.
If Larry Fitzgerald returns for the 2021 season, Arizona will likely have three future Hall of Fame recipients on their list.
Hopkins essentially led Arizona’s passing game in 2020, leading the team by 1,407 yards; the next most productive receiver was Christian Kirk with 621 yards.
Green will once again pose a third-year quarterback Kyler Murray a threat, likely across the field from Hopkins.
Arizona had the most receiver sets last season with three wide ranges, making up 44.9% of its plays. Two-receiver sets made up 29.8% of the plays and four-receiver sets at 20.3% of the plays.
Green’s contributions to the Bengals have dropped significantly over the past few seasons due to numerous injuries and apparent frustrations over his role in the offense.
He finished last season as second in Bengals franchise history in careers (9,430), second in touch (65) and second in total reception (649). Green also holds the team record for most consecutive games for 100-yard reception (five, 2013).
However, the bulk of Green’s total came during the first five years of his career. The former Georgia standout has struggled with numerous injuries during the 2016 season. Since then, he has missed 29 games, including the entire 2019 season after suffering an ankle injury in the first training season.
Green has already played 16 games in 2020, but he has a low total of 47 seasons catching for 523 yards and twice. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he achieved 43.9% of his targets, the lowest of any qualifying Bengal receiver last season.
He was frustrated at times last season. In Week 5 in Baltimore, Green was asked about a sideline exchange in which he apparently indicated that if the Bengals do not want to use him, they should trade with him. Green underestimated the interaction in subsequent interviews.
The seven-time Pro Bowl pick played the 2020 season at the $ 18.2 million one-year franchise price after the two parties failed to reach a long-term deal during the off-season.
Josh Weinfuss and Ben Baby from ESPN contributed to this report.