The Cincinnati Bengals committed player has announced an unexpected retirement leaving Zac Taylor completely perplexed.
A.J. Green is officially retiring from the Cincinnati Bengals after 12 years in the NFL.
The wide receiver, who spent ten seasons as a player for the team and was nominated to seven Pro Bowls, agreed to a one-day contract on Saturday to complete his playing career.
As I’ve never been good with words, I’ll make this short.
“I’m appreciative. I am appreciative of everyone who has supported, motivated, and inspired me during my career. I’d especially like to express my gratitude to the University of Georgia, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Arizona Cardinals for allowing me to pursue my dreams. I haven’t owed the game anything because I’ve stuck with it. I hope you have many blessings. I love each and every one of you! This opens the next section.
with the final two seasons of his career, Green was a player with the Arizona Cardinals. He signed a one-year contract with the team in March 2021 and another one-year contract in April 2022 as a free agent.
Green was not the same strong receiver from the pinnacle of his career, but he did have a positive impact for the Cardinals. With 15.7 yards per reception in 2021, he set a career high for the second-highest single-season average (he was at 16.3 in 2011).
Green played his last game against the San Francisco 49ers on January 8, 2023, and concluded with a season-high 91 yards and a touchdown reception.
Green was selected by the Bengals with the fourth overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Since the Detroit Lions selected Calvin Johnson second overall in the 2007 draft, he was the first wide receiver to be chosen in the top five.
As a rookie, Green amassed 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns, solidifying his status as one of the NFL’s best wide receivers. He finished with at least 1,000 yards six times and was chosen for the Pro Bowl six times in his first seven seasons.
Both the 2018 and 2019 seasons were marred by ailments for Green, who missed the entire season due to an ankle issue. His final season with the Bengals, 2020, saw him play in 16 games and gain 523 yards.
With 9,430 receiving yards and 65 receiving touchdowns, Green is second only to Chad Johnson in Bengals franchise history.
