Report: There Was 'Serious Talk' of a Possible A.J. Green Trade

Report: There Was 'Serious Talk' of an A.J. Green Trade

CINCINNATI — A.J. Green had his best game of the season in Sunday's 31-27 loss to the Colts. 

He finished with eight receptions for 96 yards. Green had multiple catches that extended drives, including a 10-yard reception on 4th-and-9 on the Bengals' final possession. 

His eight catches were the most he's had in a game since Week 3 of the 2017 season when he had 10 catches for 111 yards in a 27-24 loss to the Packers. 

The Bengals have reportedly had conversations about potentially trading the seven-time Pro Bowler before the Nov. 3 deadline according to ESPN's Bill Barnwell.

"There was serious talk of a Green trade if the Bengals could find a suitor, although it was going to be difficult to find one for even the prorated portion of Green's $18 million franchise tag."

The Bengals have two more games before the deadline, including a rematch against the Browns. Green had three catches (13 targets) for 29 yards in Week 2 against Cleveland. 

If he bounces back and performs at a high level over the next few weeks, then maybe wide receiver-needy contenders like the Packers, Saints, 49ers and others would be willing to part with a third or fourth-round pick for Green. 

That's wishful thinking, but there's a scenario where he re-establishes his trade value. If that's the case, the Bengals would have to decide if they want to move him. They could also keep him and try to re-sign him at the end of the season. Green is playing on the franchise tag, which is a one-year, $18 million deal. 

"It felt good to feel like my old self again," Green said after Sunday's game. "For me, it's just keep building on that. Like I said, my body feels great. I feel like the old A.J."

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James Rapien
JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien is the publisher of Bengals On SI. He's also the host of the Locked on Bengals podcast and Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. The Cincinnati native also wrote a book about the history of the Cincinnati Bengals called Enter The Jungle. Prior to joining Bengals On SI, Rapien worked at 700 WLW and ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati