NFL Spin Zone
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5 NFL players who should demand a trade following free agency

By Dan Ambrosino

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans celebrates his touchdown with teammate wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 23: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans celebrates his touchdown with teammate wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins #10 against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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NFL, A.J. Green (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NFL, A.J. Green (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. A.J. Green

A.J. Green’s tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals has lasted far too long. Since 2011, Green has accumulated six 1,000-yard seasons and has been a mainstay in the Bengals receiving game. Despite playing alongside mediocre weapons, catching passes from a sub-par quarterback, and working for a dysfunctional organization, Green has consistently produced.

Over the past two years, Green has succumbed to multiple injuries and missed 23 games. Nonetheless, Cincinnati has bungled his health situation; they kept him on the active roster all year long instead of sending him to injured reserve. He wouldn’t have season-ending surgery until December, delaying his rehabilitation and recovery timeline.

Despite being subject to trade rumors over the past few years, Cincinnati has been adamant about keeping Green in-house. This offseason, when he was set to hit free agency, the Bengals elected to place the franchise tag on Green so he would be under their contractual control for another year.

The Bengals are rebuilding and currently the favorites to draft LSU’s Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Although Burrow is projected to be a solid professional quarterback and an upgrade over Andy Dalton, it will take Cincinnati a while to compete for the playoffs. Green, at age 31, does not have many prime years left.

If Green wants to win while he can still produce at a high level, he should request to be traded to a contender. He would be better off serving as the primary option for an experienced quarterback on a team that can compete for a title in 2020.

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