Cincinnati Bengals

Time running out for A.J. Green extension?

Published Sep. 9, 2015 4:13 p.m. ET

foxsports

Bengals receiver A.J. Green has watched as his fellow star wideouts have signed lucrative contract extensions this summer. With the season opener in Oakland just a few days away, Green may be "stuck" playing for just over $10 million on his one-year tender.

Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Julio Jones all signed five-year deals all in the neighborhood of $70 million, while T.Y. Hilton got $65 million over five years. Green has noticed all of the dollars flying around, but he's still content playing out the season without an extension.

"We will see," Green told the Cincinnati Enquirer after Jones signed his deal. "If it happens, it happens. If it don't I'll go out there and play. We'll see."

If Green and the Bengals don't strike a deal before Sunday's game, the chances of an extension would likely diminish. The franchise tag looms next summer, which would pay Green a guaranteed salary of roughly $14 million. Thomas and Bryant both reached their new deals at the July deadline to avoid playing the 2014 season under the tag.

It would make sense for both sides to come to an agreement before then. Green wouldn't have to work about any injury risk, and the Bengals can save much-need salary cap space for next offseason. The clock is ticking.

h/t: Cincinnati Enquirer