Report: Bengals to use franchise tag on AJ Green

The Cincinnati Bengals are sticking with A.J. Green after an injury-hit 2019 season.

According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Bengals plan to use their franchise tag on Green, but remain open to signing him to a long-term deal.

The Bengals currently plan to franchise tag wide receiver A.J. Green, as they want him in Cincinnati in 2020 either through the tag or a longer deal, sources told @DanGrazianoESPN and me. A good selling point for the team's No. 1 pick.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 1, 2020

The Bengals haven’t gotten much from Green over the past two seasons, as he’s been limited to nine games since the start of the 2018 season. They’ve never lost faith in him, though, and have rebuffed many trade inquiries over that timespan. They know that Green, who has six 1,000-yard seasons to his name, is one of the best receivers in the NFL when healthy. With a quarterback likely coming in with the first overall pick, Green will be an invaluable weapon for that player — provided the wide receiver can stay on the field.