The Cincinnati Bengals opened their 2015 season with a win over the Oakland Raiders Sunday but before that announced Friday that wide receiver A.J. Green agreed to a four-year extension deal worth $60 million.
Green was the Bengals' fourth overall pick in the 2011 National Football League (NFL) Draft and has been a standout on offense for the franchise in the past four seasons.
"Everyone in football, and people who follow football, know that A.J. is a special talent. He makes plays that you wouldn't think could be made," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said, according to ESPN.
Lewis added that Green is a reliable teammate and leader who he believes has a great future with the Bengals.
According to ESPN, the Bengals had wanted to have a deal for Green before they headed to Oakland last Friday and it is a good thing that was accomplished.
If no deal was reached, both sides would have waited until the end of the 2015 season to work on a new contract.
In his young professional career, Green already made it to the Pro Bowl in each of his four NFL seasons.
The 27-year-old footballer also has never failed to have more than 1,000 receiving yards in each of those seasons.
Last season, Green only played in 13 games due to injuries but still had 69 receptions for 1,041 yards (career-low) and six touchdowns.
He was unable to play in the Bengals' Wildcard Playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts, to which they lost 26–10.
But Cincinnati is on the right track to start the 2015 season as it defeated the Raiders last Sunday, 33–13.
In the game, Green had five receptions for 63 yards but was unable to score a touchdown.
After opening the 2015 season on the road, the Bengals head back home for their next game as they host the San Diego Chargers at the Paul Brown Stadium on Sept. 20.
