CINCINNATI -- Those who wanted to see A.J. Green on the field this season have been forced to look at the Cincinnati Bengals' sideline.
The seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver has not played a snap in 2019 after he suffered a preseason ankle injury and told the Bengals team website that he probably will not play in the final two games of the season. Once the Bengals' season ends in a couple of weeks, there's no guarantee he will be with them at all.
A lost 2019 season has left many questions surrounding one of the most prolific receivers in franchise history.
Why hasn't Green played this season?
Green tore multiple ligaments in his left ankle in the first practice of the preseason. He had surgery in July to fix the issue, but problems have lingered. After he increased his practice participation, Green reported swelling on Nov. 6, two days after going through team drills during the Bengals' off week. At the time, Green said he had experienced the same problem a couple of weeks earlier.
After the Bengals won their first game of the season on Dec. 1 against the New York Jets, Green said he had not experienced any swelling in previous weeks and that everything was trending up. He and Bengals coach Zac Taylor had insisted that he would play whenever he felt right. "When my ankle feels good enough to play then I'll play," Green said. "Simple as that."
What is the status of Green's contract?
Green is set to become a free agent after his four-year, $60 million deal expires following the season. On Oct. 30, Green said he made the decision to stall talks between both sides until he returned to the field. "We kind of slowed things down just for me to get healthy," Green said. "They actually can see I can go out there and play. Just for me getting healthy first, then we can talk about a deal." There haven't been any public comments from Green, his camp or the Bengals that anything has changed since then.
Would the Bengals use the franchise tag on Green?
It's complicated. The Bengals are committed to using the franchise tag if they can't agree to a long-term deal, according to a Cincinnati Enquirer report. Green has explicitly stated that he does not want the one-year franchise tag that is estimated to be worth more than $18 million in 2020. He will be 32 next season and is looking for some long-term stability in what likely will be the final big contract of his career. "Give me a long-term [deal] or just let me go," Green said on Oct. 30. However, Green knows he doesn't have much control over the situation since the Bengals create the designation.
And even if he hates the idea, don't expect Green to hold out if he gets tagged and doesn't have a new contract before next season. "I'm not going to be one of those guys sitting out and missing that $18 million. That's not me," Green said. "I'm not giving that free money away. I don't care what it is."
How has the injury affected Green's bargaining power?
Many have wondered if Green's absence this season has been a quiet holdout for a new deal. However, the Bengals could always let him walk and gain a compensatory third-round pick when another team signs him. And in this situation, Green's recent history could affect the value of his next contract. He hasn't played a game since Week 13 of the 2018 season, when he caught one pass for 7 yards before he aggravating a toe injury. The issue with the toe on his right foot, along with the left ankle injury, has caused him to miss 21 of the previous 22 games. Green has missed six or more games in three of the past four seasons. He remains confident in his abilities to play well and stay healthy. "If they [are] concerned about me not being able to play 16, then take the risk not signing me and not franchising me and we go from there," Green said.
Is there long-term concern about the ankle injury?
That's the biggest unknown at this point, although Green received some good news this week. Green went to Green Bay, Wisconsin, on Monday to visit Dr. Robert Anderson, a renowned foot specialist. Green said Anderson told him the ankle injury will not prevent him from going through a normal offseason or hinder his long-term outlook.
"It’s finally turned the corner," Green told the team website. "It’s been feeling better and better each week. There were no setbacks. The plan was to go up there (to meet Anderson). He liked the way it looked. He said it’s only a matter of time. It’s not (ready) to play a game, but he was like, it’s a good thing I didn’t rush this thing."
Does Green want to stay in Cincinnati?
Based on Green’s comments about his contract situation, the determining factor might have more to do with the terms of his next deal and not the location. Cincinnati selected Green with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft, and he is near the top of the franchise’s record books in many statistical categories. And even though the Bengals are rebuilding the roster, that doesn't bother Green. "I’m genuinely happy here," he said on Oct. 30. "We might not win, but I’m happy here. But at the end of the day, it’s a business, and I know my worth and know what I bring to this team. So, we will see what happens."