Ask Jim Owczarski

[Bengalbug]

(05-11-2018, 10:09 PM)jowczarski Wrote: Yup. 
I don't think the current group of wideouts have been drafted with replacing him in mind, to be honest. Alex Erickson is a free agent after this season. Tyler Boyd and Cody Core are also free agents after 2019. Ross is under contract through 2020 if they don't pick up his option, as is Josh Malone.

That said, I don't think the Bengals will much worry about it until after this season - Geno Atkins is the priority now. 

They're always "thinking" about such things, however. Most teams map out their contracts for a five year period to see who's where and how old they'll be. It's a fair point about his age, and not paying wideouts over 30. Frankly, the Bengals would buck all the odds to win a Super Bowl with Green anyway -- most teams that do don't have a single receiver making a top-10 salary. It's been proven that you don't need that guy to win. Green, in my opinion, will "age well" in that he's big enough that even if he loses his top end speed, as long as his legs are healthy, he can still win high points and he even said he knows he'll have to transition to the slot at some point. 

I'd be shocked if they paid a 30+ receiver $10 million or more. The market doesn't dictate that (see Bryant, Dez; Nelson, Jordy). But I think they'll try to keep him. He's a guy, though, that to me I could see going to play for Atlanta or Carolina if the money is close or a bit more than Cincinnati, just to be closer to his family/home. 

But it's a good thought. It's a real conversation to have and think about for sure.

The bengals could always go year to year with 2 franchise tags.