On February 6, 2023, veteran wide receiver AJ Green announced his retirement after playing 12 seasons in the NFL. He posted a "thank you" message on Instagram, thanking his fans, his alma mater University of Georgia, the Cincinnati Bengals, and the Arizona Cardinals, the two NFL teams he played for.
Green was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2011 NFL Draft with the 4th overall pick. Straight out of the gates, Green put up a 1057-yard season on 65 receptions, leading to a Pro Bowl appearance in just his rookie season. These stats also led to his being chosen to the NFL All-Rookie team. Green became a star for the Bengals, putting up impressive numbers in his 9-year tenure with the team. Yahoo! Sports states, "His 3,833 receiving yards in his first three seasons rank fourth all-time behind Justin Jefferson, Randy Moss and Odell Beckham Jr. He also tallied at least 1,000 receiving yards in six of his first seven seasons." Green would rack up 7 Pro Bowl appearances in a row from 2011 to 2017.
Green's career began slowing after missing the end of his 2018 season with a toe injury, and then the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury. "Green played a full slate of games in 2020," Yahoo! Sports reports, "but finished with only 47 receptions for 523 yards and two touchdowns — all career lows at the time." Green would leave Cincinnati after the 2020 season to join the Arizona Cardinals on a 1-year contract. Green left Cincinnati ranking "second in the team's all-time rankings in receptions (649), receiving yards (9,430) and touchdowns (65)," according to ESPN.
Green would then play back-to-back years in Arizona, totaling 78 receptions, 1084 yards, and 5 touchdowns over the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Green proved himself to be a contributor to the team, even though it was clear his prime was passed.
AJ Green hangs up his cleats, with 7 total Pro Bowl appearances, 10,514 yards, and 70 touchdowns. He was an absolute force in Cincinnati and is held in high regard as one of the greatest Bengals to ever play.
Watch AJ Green's best plays on the Bengals in a highlight montage here.
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