The search was for a No. 2 wide receiver. And maybe someone who could either team with – or ease the transition without – Larry Fitzgerald.
The Cardinals picked a veteran who has patterned his game after the Cards' longtime face of the franchise.
Former Pro Bowl Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green agreed to a one-year contract Wednesday, the first day of free agency. At 6-foot-4, he provides the size that Christian Kirk could not on the other side of Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins.
Green reportedly will get at least $6 million, with the chance to boost it to $8.5M. His signing, as he turns 33 this year, is another indication of the win-immediately vibe the Cardinals are showing this offseason as quarterback Kyler Murray enters the third year of his rookie contract and an expensive extension on the horizon.
Green is coming off career lows in yards (523) and touchdowns (two). He had 47 catches in 16 games, only one more than he had the previous injury-marred season in 2018, when he was limited to nine games.
He missed all of 2019 with that same foot injury.
The Bengals were limited on offense last season. Starting rookie quarterback Joe Burrow behind a poor offensive line, Green had 34 catches for 352 yards in Burrow's starts. After Burrow went down with a season-ending injury, Green's numbers plummeted with backup QBs Ryan Finley and Brandon Allen, making just 13 catches for 171 yards. He was shut out of a catch in five games last season, twice in games with Burrow.
Green, however, has six 1,000-yard seasons and seven Pro Bowls, and the Cards hope he will regain some of that magic.
With Fitzgerald still mulling whether or not to play in 2021, the current lineup would seem to have Hopkins and Green as outside receivers, and Christian Kirk in his more natural slot position. Andy Isabella also should be able to work in the slot more often, and the hope remains the Cardinals could retain tight end Dan Arnold.
Green brings more than help on the field. He brings another veteran presence into the locker room, crucial if Fitz decides to retire. He also has been the kind of player – and person – in Cincinnati that Fitzgerald has been over his career, at one point thinking he (like Fitz) would play his entire career in one city.
"It's so hard now, you see everybody that's not going well where they want a trade," Green told The Athletic in 2019. "I think Larry did it the right way. That's why he's a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer. It's not just his play on the field, it's his off-field things. How he handles situations and never made any fuss. He just went out there and played his butt off.
"I just try to go about my business, love the game, prepare every week and play football. That's all I'm here to do. I love the game and there's no need to make a fuss about it."
