Source: A.J. Green, Cards finalizing 1-year deal

Veteran receiver A.J. Green is finalizing a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals that is worth up to $8.5 million, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.

The deal includes $6 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN.

While one of the most prolific players in franchise history over his 10 years with the Cincinnati Bengals, Green’s contributions dropped significantly over the past few seasons due to numerous injuries and apparent frustrations with his role in the offense.

Green, who will be 33 years old at the start of next season, finished last season ranked second in franchise history in career receiving yards (9,430), second in touchdowns (65) and second in total receptions (649). Green also holds the team record for most consecutive 100-yard receiving games (five, 2013).

The bulk of Green’s totals, however, came during the first five years of his career. Starting with the 2016 season, the former Georgia standout battled numerous injuries. From that point onward, he missed 29 games, including the entire 2019 season after he suffered an ankle injury in the first preseason practice.

Green played all 16 games in 2020 but had career single-season low totals of 47 catches for 523 yards and two touchdowns. He caught 43.9% of his targets, according to ESPN Stats & Information, the lowest of any qualifying Bengals receiver last season.

He was frustrated at times last season. In Week 5 at Baltimore, Green was asked about a sideline exchange in which he appeared to indicate that if the Bengals didn’t want to use him, they should trade him. Green downplayed the interaction in subsequent interviews.

The seven-time Pro Bowl selection played the 2020 season on the one-year franchise tag worth $18.2 million after the two sides failed to reach a long-term deal during the offseason.

ESPN’s Ben Baby contributed to this report.

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