Arizona Cardinals on the free agent cusp: Wide receiver A.J. Green

The Arizona Cardinals have decisions to make this offseason, especially when it comes down to free agency.

With more than a handful of key contributors’s contracts expiring, Arizona must choose whether to re-sign the guys they’ve come to know or test the waters for some new blood.

Before the offseason and free agency gets into full swing, Arizona Sports’ Cardinals reporter Tyler Drake and fellow editors Kevin Zimmerman, Kellan Olson and Jake Anderson share their thoughts on who might stay and who will go.

Hello, wide receiver A.J. Green.

Basics

Green joined the Cardinals on a one-year deal worth $6 million this past offseason after spending the entirety of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals (2011-2018, 2020). The wideout entered the league as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

With Green and Christian Kirk among the wide receivers set to test free agency, the Cardinals currently have wideouts DeAndre Hopkins, Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch and Andy Isabella under contract for 2022, while Antoine Wesley is an exclusive rights free agent.

Pros

Green provided a deeper threat for quarterback Kyler Murray to work with in 2021, averaging a team high 15.7 yards per catch.

He also tied Kirk when it came to plays of at least 20 yards among Arizona pass catchers with 16.

Over 16 games played, Green recorded 54 receptions (92 targets) for 848 yards and three touchdowns.

Cons

While Green flashed at times, the wideout really never seem to really to fully get in sync with Murray.

Their miscommunication could be best highlighted on the final play in the team’s Thursday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Needing a touchdown to win, Murray looked to the air for Green. The wide receiver, however, did not turn in the direction of the throw, allowing Packers corner and former Cardinals practice squad member Rasul Douglas to make the game-sealing interception.

And despite Hopkins being sidelined for seven games, Green was unable to capitalize on the opportunity. In the six games Green was active for while Hopkins was out, the wide receiver caught 17 of his 38 targets (44.7% catch rate) for 276 yards.

Wesley could also present a much cheaper option if the Cardinals want to go that route and save cap space. Wesley flashed in place of the injured Hopkins late in the season, recording three touchdowns over the final four games of the season to go along with 95 yards on 11 catches.

Final thought

Drake: At times, Green looked the part of a No. 2 wide receiver the Cardinals desperately needed opposite Hopkins.

He looked great in training camp, appearing to get the offense down and seeming a lot like his days back in Cincinnati. But fast forward to the end of the year, and the results were lackluster for the potential Green had in head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

I think there will be a few teams willing to take a look at Green this offseason. The Cardinals will not be one of them.

Likelihood of returning?

Drake: Very low. He had his moments, but the chemistry with Murray wasn’t there and there’s a plethora of free agency options for the Cardinals to consider.

Zimmerman: Not 0%, but still unlikely. If Green wanted to take less money than last year, he’s still an upgrade (as much as I’m a Wesley believer). But I’m assuming there is context behind the weird chemistry issues/breakdowns between he and Murray.

Olson: Zilch. If Green showed anything, it’s what Murray could do in the future with a true receiving threat with size on the outside that’s not named DeAndre. They need to be aggressive and pursue an option that looks like he didn’t just meet Murray the morning of the game.

Anderson: What’s lower than no chance? That’s where A.J. Green stands after what appeared to be a good start to the season as a big No. 2 WR opposite of Hopkins. But ever since that miscommunication against the Packers, Green and Kyler Murray didn’t seem to have any chemistry. In addition to his injury history, he’ll also turn 34 ahead of next season.

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