AJ on The Franchise Tag

[Catmandude123]

(12-18-2019, 04:27 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: This situation with AJ is a tough one. 

He's a helluva weapon when healthy...but at the same time, he hasn't played in a year and a half. 

You'll rarely find me defending the Bengals front office, but I'm not sure what they could do any differently in this situation. Some say they should've traded him, but I don't remember seeing reports of any actual offers for AJ before the deadline. On the Bengals part, they've had his back. They kept him on the roster all year in hopes they he would eventually be able to play. Zac has publicly made statements supporting AJ. Again, I'm not sure what else they could have done.

I've always been a huge AJ fan, but I don't really want them giving him anything more than a year at this point. Not until he can prove he's healthy, and more importantly, can stay healthy for a full season. The franchise tag seems to be the only safe option. You can't just let him walk and and only end up with a comp pick next year, and you can't trade him unless he's tagged and cleared medically to the satisfaction of other teams.

I honestly just think it's time for the Andy/AJ era to be over I've rooted for both since they were drafted, but man, it just seems like it's time to move on and focus on the next era, whatever the hell that is. 

Kind of a catch 22 situation. Even if he is healthy and signs the tag does he go balls to the wall and hope the Bengals don't franchise him again or does he slow play most of the season so he won't get injured.  He signed the last contract after four straight 1000+yard seasons with only 26 mil guaranteed. After the last two years it seems he would want to give a team discount. If he wants Julio money let him walk.