ARIZONA CARDINALS

Cardinals’ A.J. Green addition excites J.J. Watt; analytics are less optimistic

Mar 17, 2021, 11:36 AM | Updated: 1:10 pm

Baltimore Ravens strong safety Chuck Clark (36) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wi...

Baltimore Ravens strong safety Chuck Clark (36) breaks up a pass intended for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

(AP Photo/Aaron Doster)

A.J. Green will reportedly be signing with the Arizona Cardinals on a one-year deal, a chance for the seven-time Pro Bowler and former Cincinnati Bengal to reset his career.

The 32-year-old is coming off his least-productive season yet, albeit for a team that went 4-11-1 and sputtered with rookie quarterback Joe Burrow before the signal caller got hurt after 10 games.

So naturally, people are skeptical about the 6-foot-4 receiver joining the Cardinals on a prove-it contract.

One person who is not skeptical is fellow offseason signing J.J. Watt, another player who’s out to prove that age is only a number.

The reported agreement between Arizona and Green also brings up this question: What does this mean for Larry Fitzgerald?

The 17-year pro has yet to decide on his future, although it’s apparent he’s still using this offseason to be concerned about the present.

Green recorded 523 receiving yards last season for the Bengals, who had a shoddy offensive line and Burrow learning on the job. Then Burrow got hurt and it was Brandon Allen and Ryan Finley throwing to Green and Co.

It’s also important to note that Green missed all of 2019 due to a serious ankle injury and has not made a Pro Bowl since 2017. Granted, that was with relatively better circumstances around him.

Even with all that context, the analytics might side with the old man memes, though.

The analytics also indicate Green playing opposite DeAndre Hopkins could shift Cardinals receiver Christian Kirk into a more permanent role as a slot man.

And with a new player in the fold comes a second rivalry between a Cardinal and Los Angeles Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, whom Hopkins already has history with.

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