The Bengals today signed WR A.J. Green to a contract extension, running through the 2019 season. Green previously had been under contract through the current season.
"This is great news as we head to play the Raiders," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis, whose team opens pursuit of a fifth consecutive NFL playoff berth on Sunday at Oakland. "Everyone in football, and people who follow football, know that A.J. is a special talent. He makes plays that you wouldn't think could be made. He's an outstanding teammate and a leader you can rely on. He still has a long, great future ahead of him in Cincinnati."
Green (6-4, 207; Georgia) was selected fourth overall by the Bengals in the 2011 Draft and has been a Pro Bowl player on a playoff team in each of his four seasons. Green and QB Andy Dalton, also drafted in 2011, are the most productive QB-WR duo in NFL history for players in their first four seasons. Their 324 completions and 4735 yards are the most for any duo in seasons 1-4, and their 33 TD connections are tied for the most, along with Dan Marino and Mark Clayton of Miami (1983-86).
Green has averaged 83 catches, 1219 yards and nine TDs over his four Bengals seasons. His career totals are 329 catches for 4874 yards and 35TDs. Green's career-high for catches in a season is 98, and should he match that total in 2015, he would complete the year with the most catches (projected 427) in NFL history for a player in his first five seasons.
Green already is the only NFL player to rank among the league's top four in both catches and receiving yards for seasons 1-4. His 329 catches rank third, and his 4874 yards rank fourth.
"Everyone knows I just want to play football," Green said. "Playing in Cincinnati has been great for me and I want to stay here. So getting this done is great. I've still got tons I want to accomplish in the NFL."
"A.J. makes all of us better,' said Dalton. "As a quarterback, you can put up a contested ball for him that you might not put up for everybody. We're focused right now on 2015, but this is great to know for the long run."
(Cincinnati Bengals release)
