A.J. Green Contract: Latest News, Rumors and Speculation on Bengals WR

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green is among the best pass-catchers in the NFL, but the four-time Pro Bowler is in no hurry to sign a long-term contract.  

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Green Told Not to Talk Contract With Media; WR, Bengals Want Deal Done This Year

Tuesday, July 28

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reported head coach Marvin Lewis instructed Green not to answer questions about his contract talks from the media. 

On July 27, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report noted Green's desire to get a deal before training camp alongside Julio Jones of the Atlanta Falcons, who is pursuing his own contract:

The news comes after a July 26 report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com noted the Bengals' stance, adding "they want a deal this year." Green, who will make $10.1 million this year, also spoke about his contract and future with the Bengals in an interview with ABC 4 in Charleston, South Carolina (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk).

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All that contract stuff really doesn’t bother me, because when you put in the work, the body of work I’ve put in, it speaks for itself. So my time is coming. It’s always what great athletes dream of, to finish with the team that gave them their first opportunity. Cincinnati is a great place. We’re a great team that can be good for a long time. We’ve got a lot of young talent. So it would be great to stay there. I want to stay there. I think they’re going to get something done.

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Green reportedly was set to take a wait-and-see approach entering the 2015 campaign. According to a July 14 report from Rapoport, the star wideout would not attempt to sign a new deal until next offseason.

While many players in Green's position would want to get a deal done as soon as possible, he had previously spoken on July 9 about his lack of concern about his contract, according to ESPN.com's Coley Harvey: "I don't get into all the 'I need a contract' stuff. I'm not here for money. I'm not broke. So I'm fine. I can wait until the end of the year to get a contract, but I know that time is coming."

The two-time All-Pro selection is coming off his worst NFL season as he reeled in 69 passes for a career-low 1,041 yards and six touchdowns, although he missed three games because of injury.

When he is on the field, Green is one of the surest bets in football to make game-changing plays. The former Georgia standout is a matchup nightmare, and he makes life easier for his teammates because of the type of defensive attention he draws.

He will have a huge hand in whether the Bengals make the playoffs for a fifth straight season in 2015. And even though his future in Cincinnati isn't yet cemented, he figures to be part of the franchise for many years to come.

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