3 moves the Cincinnati Bengals should make to ensure Joe Burrow doesn’t hold out
By Zach Ragan
Sign Amari Cooper to replace AJ Green
Recent reports have indicated that Cincinnati plans to at least place the franchise tag on wide receiver AJ Green.
But for the sake of the Bengals’ future, it’s probably time to move on. Green hasn’t played an NFL game since December 2, 2018. He hasn’t been an above average wide receiver, statistically, since 2015.
Signing Amari Cooper, who is six years younger than Green, wouldn’t be cheap, but it would give Burrow a wide receiver connection that could flourish for the next several seasons.
Who knows what kind of shape Green would be if he re-signed with the Bengals. Would he be able to practice on a regular basis? As a rookie quarterback, Burrow needs time to build chemistry with his wide receivers. Bringing Green back could prove to be fruitless.
But Cooper, while maybe not quite as talented as Green, could develop into a perennial Pro-Bowler in Cincinnati if paired with Burrow.
Signing Cooper would signal to Burrow that Cincy is all in when it comes to winning a Super Bowl.