CINCINNATI — The Bengals axed any speculation about a potential trade of wide receiver A.J. Green.
“We’re not trading that guy,” said Zac Taylor, the Bengals’ coach who also is the spokesperson for the front office.
With Green in the final year of his four-year contract and the trade deadline looming later this month, the star receiver seemed like a likely trade candidate for the winless Bengals. However, Taylor said any such chatter was unnecessary as Green prepares to return from an ankle injury that has kept him out of the first five games this season.
“He’s a big part of this organization,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of belief in him that when he gets back, he’s going to really help us.”
The first-year coach’s comments on Thursday came after Green went through individual drills for the first time since he injured his left ankle on July 27 in the opening practice of the preseason. Even though Green was a limited participant at practice, Taylor ruled him out of the Bengals’ game at Baltimore (3-2) on Sunday.
Throughout Green’s rehab process, Taylor has been hesitant to give any definitive dates for Green’s potential return. That continued on Thursday, when the coach said he’s not sure when the ninth-year receiver will be a full participant at practice.
However, Taylor said Green “is starting to look really good” as he prepares for his eventual return. Now, any drama around the wide receiver will be centered on his 2019 debut instead of his long-term status with his team.
Taylor was optimistic the Bengals will be able to reach a deal with Green after his $60 million deal expires at the end of this season.
“That’s the plan,” Taylor said. “I don’t want to talk publicly about that. But again, he’s a big part of this team, a big part of this organization. When he comes back, he’ll be a big boost for us.”
In an interview with the team’s website prior to Taylor’s comments, Green said he wasn’t lobbying to be traded, adding he understood the value of playing his entire career with the Bengals.
“I’m prepared for anything,” Green told Bengals.com. “A trade’s not going to change who I am. I’m still going to play. I’m still going to be A.J.”
And based on Taylor’s comments Thursday, Green will remain a Bengal the remainder of the season.
“I want the team records,” Green told Bengals.com. “I want more Pro Bowls. I want all that so when I leave there is going to be a standard.”
Green is second in franchise history in total receptions (602) and receiving yards (8,907) and third in career touchdowns (63). Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson holds the records in all three categories.