The Chicago Bears aren’t going to conduct a spending spree in free agency this year. They simply don’t have the money. However, they might be able to strike for one or two underrated names who might yet be able to deliver far above their projected pay scales. One of them that not enough people are talking about is wide receiver A.J. Green.
Okay, to be fair it’s understandable why people aren’t talking about the seven-time Pro Bowler much these days. He’s played just one game between October 29th of 2018 and the present day. He missed all of the 2019 season with torn ligaments in his ankle suffered in training camp. Suddenly a guy who missed just four games through his first five seasons has now missed 29 in the past four. So his value going onto the open market this March won’t be where it customarily should be.
That could end up being a blessing for a team like the Bears. Green turns 32-years old this year. He’s not a rising star anymore but there is reason to think if he can get his body right, he has a few good years left. Just think for a second about the idea of putting him across from Allen Robinson. It would be an instant upgrade for this offense, even if a temporary one.
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com seems to think he has plenty of gas left in the tank.
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“One of the toughest players to price after he missed all of last season to injury, Green is a borderline Hall of Famer who should still have some high-level years left.”
Chicago Bears have plenty to sell Green on
Green will certainly have suitors interested in him despite the health concerns. So why can the Bears be significant players in that sweepstakes? Playing across from Robinson would certainly be a draw. There is also the fact that GM Ryan Pace has deep ties to the University of Georgia. Roquan Smith, Leonard Floyd, and Javon Wims were all notable draft picks who remain on the roster. So he’ll have ways to communicate with Green who was a star there.
Last but certainly not least, they’ve recently hired Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator. He was with the Cincinnati Bengals from 2016 to 2018, spending the last two as offensive coordinator. That familiarity will be something attractive to the veteran. Not to mention Matt Nagy’s growing reputation as a player’s coach. This could be a mutually beneficial relationship for both sides in 2020.
Green can rebuild his stock by performing well in Chicago. The Bears can use him to help resurrect the offense and maybe even save Mitch Trubisky’s bacon.