Bengals Pick Up Option On AJ Green

Aug 23, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive back Tramon Williams (38) breaks up a fade pattern to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver AJ Green (18) during the pre-season game at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals announced Monday afternoon that they have picked up the  fifth year option on wide receiver AJ Green. The option is will keep Green in a Bengals uniform for the 2015 season.

Green the number four overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft was given a four year rookie contract with a fifth year option per stipulation from the NFL. The fifth year option guarantees Green will be paid the same as transition tag players in their position. Meaning Green will be paid a little over $10M in 2015. In 2014 the final year of his contract will make around $6.3M this upcoming season.

Green has been a deadly target for the Bengals and a game changer for the club in his first three seasons. In 2013 Green had 98 receptions for 1,426 yards and 11 touchdowns. His average reception was good for 14.6 yards. Green has been the favorite target of Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton.

In his career thus far Green has 260 receptions for 3,833 yards, according to ESPN that ranks the young receiver the 2nd best all time for a wide receiver through their first three seasons. Over that time Green also has 29 touchdowns.

AJ Green was the Bengals first round pick in 2011, the 4th overall pick out of Georgia came into a team with high expectations for the young receiver. Following the departure of the receiver formerly known as Chad Ochocinco the Bengals coaching staff turned to Green to fill the shoes of the departed. Fill the shoes is exactly what he has done.

Cincinnati will continue to work on a long term deal with Green.