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AJ Green Contract Value: How Many Bucks Did He Bank?

Trends January 15, 2025

What is A.J. Green's Contract with the Bucks?

A.J. Green is an American football wide receiver who currently plays for the Arizona Cardinals. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft and played for the team for nine seasons before being released in 2020.

In 2021, Green signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals worth up to $8.5 million, including $6 million guaranteed. The contract also includes incentives that could increase Green's total earnings to $10 million.

Green's contract with the Cardinals is a significant development for both the player and the team. Green is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most accomplished wide receivers in the NFL. His addition to the Cardinals' offense is expected to give quarterback Kyler Murray a much-needed weapon.

For the Cardinals, Green's contract is a relatively low-risk, high-reward move. Green is still a very productive player, and he is expected to be a major contributor to the Cardinals' offense in 2021.

Green's contract is also a sign of the Cardinals' commitment to winning. The team has made a number of moves this offseason to improve its roster, and Green's signing is a clear indication that the Cardinals are serious about contending for a Super Bowl in 2021.

A.J. Green's Contract with the Bucks

A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million, including $6 million guaranteed. The contract also includes incentives that could increase Green's total earnings to $10 million.

Length: One year
Value: $8.5 million
Guaranteed money: $6 million
Incentives: Up to $1.5 million
Signing bonus: $3 million
Base salary: $5.5 million
Roster bonus: $1 million

Green's contract is a significant development for both the player and the team. Green is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most accomplished wide receivers in the NFL. His addition to the Cardinals' offense is expected to give quarterback Kyler Murray a much-needed weapon.

1. Length

The one-year length of A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a significant factor in evaluating the deal. A one-year contract is relatively short for a player of Green's caliber, and it suggests that the Cardinals are taking a cautious approach with the veteran wide receiver.

There are a few reasons why the Cardinals may have opted for a one-year contract with Green. First, Green is 33 years old and has a history of injuries. While he is still a productive player, the Cardinals may be concerned about his long-term durability.

Second, the Cardinals have a number of other talented wide receivers on their roster, including DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Kirk, and Rondale Moore. Green's one-year contract gives the Cardinals the flexibility to evaluate his performance and decide whether to re-sign him in 2023.

For Green, the one-year contract is a bet on himself. He is confident that he can still play at a high level, and he is hoping to prove his worth to the Cardinals and other teams around the NFL.

The one-year length of A.J. Green's contract is a reminder that even the most accomplished players in the NFL are not immune to the business side of the game. Green's contract is a reflection of the Cardinals' cautious approach and Green's desire to prove that he can still be a valuable asset to an NFL team.

2. Value

The $8.5 million value of A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a significant investment for the team. Green is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most accomplished wide receivers in the NFL. However, he is also 33 years old and has a history of injuries.

Guaranteed money: $6 million
The $6 million guaranteed to Green is a sign of the Cardinals' commitment to the veteran wide receiver. Guaranteed money is paid to the player regardless of whether he is injured or cut by the team.
Incentives: Up to $1.5 million
The $1.5 million in incentives are based on Green's performance on the field. He can earn these incentives by reaching certain statistical benchmarks, such as receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
Signing bonus: $3 million
The $3 million signing bonus is a one-time payment that Green received when he signed his contract with the Cardinals. Signing bonuses are common in NFL contracts, and they are used to entice players to sign with a particular team.
Base salary: $5.5 million
The $5.5 million base salary is the amount of money that Green will earn in 2021 if he is on the Cardinals' roster for the entire season. Base salaries are typically paid out in monthly installments over the course of the season.

The $8.5 million value of A.J. Green's contract is a reflection of his status as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. However, the Cardinals are also taking a cautious approach with Green, given his age and injury history. The one-year length of the contract and the $6 million in guaranteed money are both signs that the Cardinals are not willing to commit to Green long-term.

3. Guaranteed money

The $6 million guaranteed to A.J. Green in his contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a significant commitment from the team. Guaranteed money is paid to the player regardless of whether he is injured or cut by the team. This is in contrast to non-guaranteed money, which is only paid if the player is on the team's roster at the time of payment.

Injury protection: The guaranteed money in Green's contract provides him with financial security in the event that he is injured and unable to play. This is important for a player like Green, who has a history of injuries.
Commitment from the team: The $6 million guaranteed to Green is a sign of the Cardinals' commitment to the veteran wide receiver. The Cardinals are essentially saying that they believe Green is a valuable asset to the team and that they are willing to pay him even if he is unable to play.
Negotiating leverage: The guaranteed money in Green's contract gives him leverage in contract negotiations. If Green were to be cut by the Cardinals, he would still be owed the $6 million guaranteed money. This gives him the freedom to negotiate a new contract with another team without having to worry about losing out on the guaranteed money.
Salary cap implications: The $6 million guaranteed to Green counts against the Cardinals' salary cap. This means that the Cardinals have less money to spend on other players. However, the Cardinals are willing to make this sacrifice because they believe Green is worth the investment.

The $6 million guaranteed to A.J. Green in his contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a significant development. It shows that the Cardinals are committed to Green and that they believe he is a valuable asset to the team. The guaranteed money also provides Green with financial security and leverage in contract negotiations.

4. Incentives

The $1.5 million in incentives in A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals are based on his performance on the field. He can earn these incentives by reaching certain statistical benchmarks, such as receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

Playing time: Green will earn $250,000 if he plays in at least 60% of the Cardinals' offensive snaps in 2021.
Receptions: Green will earn $250,000 for every 25 receptions he has in 2021, up to a maximum of $1 million.
Receiving yards: Green will earn $250,000 for every 250 receiving yards he has in 2021, up to a maximum of $1 million.
Touchdowns: Green will earn $250,000 for every touchdown he scores in 2021, up to a maximum of $500,000.

The incentives in Green's contract are a way for the Cardinals to reward him for his performance on the field. They also give Green an incentive to stay healthy and productive throughout the season.

The $1.5 million in incentives is a significant amount of money, and it is clear that the Cardinals are confident that Green can be a major contributor to their offense in 2021.

5. Signing bonus

The $3 million signing bonus in A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a one-time payment that Green received when he signed his contract. Signing bonuses are common in NFL contracts, and they are used to entice players to sign with a particular team.

The signing bonus is a significant part of Green's contract, and it accounts for a large portion of his guaranteed money. The Cardinals are essentially paying Green $3 million to sign with the team, regardless of whether he plays a single snap.

There are several reasons why the Cardinals may have offered Green a $3 million signing bonus. First, Green is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and one of the most accomplished wide receivers in the NFL. He is a proven playmaker who can make a significant impact on the Cardinals' offense.

Second, the Cardinals are in a win-now mode. They have a talented roster, and they believe that Green can help them compete for a Super Bowl. The signing bonus is a way to show Green that the Cardinals are committed to winning and that they are willing to invest in him.

The $3 million signing bonus is a significant investment for the Cardinals, but it is a calculated risk. Green is a proven player who can make a major impact on the Cardinals' offense. The signing bonus is a way to show Green that the Cardinals are committed to winning and that they believe he can help them achieve their goals.

6. Base salary

The $5.5 million base salary in A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a significant portion of his overall compensation. The base salary is the amount of money that Green is guaranteed to earn in 2021, regardless of whether he is injured or cut by the team.

The base salary is an important part of Green's contract because it provides him with financial security. Even if Green is injured and unable to play, he will still receive his base salary. This is important for a player like Green, who has a history of injuries.

The base salary is also a reflection of Green's status as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL. Green has been a Pro Bowl selection seven times, and he has led the NFL in receiving yards twice. He is a proven playmaker who can make a significant impact on the Cardinals' offense.

The $5.5 million base salary is a fair value for a player of Green's caliber. He is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, and he is still capable of making a major impact on the Cardinals' offense. The base salary is a reflection of Green's value to the team, and it is a sign of the Cardinals' commitment to winning.

7. Roster bonus

The $1 million roster bonus in A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a one-time payment that he will receive if he is on the Cardinals' roster on the first day of the regular season. Roster bonuses are common in NFL contracts, and they are used to entice players to sign with a particular team.

Signing bonus vs. roster bonus: Unlike a signing bonus, which is paid to the player immediately upon signing the contract, a roster bonus is only paid if the player is on the team's roster on a specific date. This gives the team some flexibility in managing its salary cap, as the roster bonus does not count against the cap until the player makes the roster.
Motivation for players: Roster bonuses can provide players with an incentive to work hard and make the team. If a player is not confident that he will make the team, he may be less likely to sign a contract with a roster bonus. However, if a player is confident in his abilities, he may be more likely to sign a contract with a roster bonus because it gives him the opportunity to earn a larger payday.
Salary cap implications: Roster bonuses can have a significant impact on a team's salary cap. If a player is released before the roster bonus is paid, the team will still be on the hook for the bonus. This can create salary cap problems for teams that are already close to the cap limit.
Negotiating leverage: Roster bonuses can give players some negotiating leverage when signing a contract. If a player is a free agent, he may be able to negotiate a larger roster bonus from a team that is interested in signing him.

The $1 million roster bonus in A.J. Green's contract is a significant part of his overall compensation. It is a reflection of his status as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and it is a sign of the Cardinals' commitment to winning.

Frequently Asked Questions About A.J. Green's Contract with the Cardinals

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals:

Question 1: How much is A.J. Green's contract worth?

A.J. Green's contract with the Cardinals is worth up to $8.5 million, including $6 million guaranteed.

Question 2: How long is A.J. Green's contract?

A.J. Green's contract with the Cardinals is a one-year deal.

Question 3: What is A.J. Green's base salary?

A.J. Green's base salary is $5.5 million.

Question 4: What is A.J. Green's signing bonus?

A.J. Green's signing bonus is $3 million.

Question 5: What are A.J. Green's incentives?

A.J. Green's incentives are up to $1.5 million, based on his performance on the field.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about A.J. Green's contract with the Cardinals. For more information, please consult the official NFL website.

Summary of key takeaways:

A.J. Green's contract with the Cardinals is a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million.
Green's contract includes $6 million in guaranteed money.
Green's base salary is $5.5 million.
Green's signing bonus is $3 million.
Green's incentives are up to $1.5 million, based on his performance on the field.

Conclusion

A.J. Green's contract with the Arizona Cardinals is a one-year deal worth up to $8.5 million, including $6 million guaranteed. The contract is a significant investment for the Cardinals, but it is also a reflection of Green's status as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.

Green's contract is a reminder that even the most accomplished players in the NFL are not immune to the business side of the game. However, Green's contract is also a sign of the Cardinals' commitment to winning. The team is hoping that Green can help them compete for a Super Bowl in 2021.

Only time will tell whether Green can live up to the expectations that come with his contract. However, one thing is for sure: Green is a talented player who is capable of making a major impact on the Cardinals' offense.