Seven-time Pro Bowl WR AJ Green announces retirement

Shortly after making it clear he was considering hanging up his boots, AJ Green decided to end his career. Le Broad announced Monday (via Instagram) that he was retiring from the NFL.

Green, 34, has spent the past two seasons in Arizona with a veteran Cardinals team. He was a huge part of the team’s success in 2021, having 54 catches and 848 yards. This landed him a one-year contract last offseason, although he recorded much less remarkable numbers in 15 games played. In January, he wasn’t surprised when he hinted that 2022 would be his last season in the pros.

Green’s stint in the desert was preceded, of course, by a highly acclaimed stint with the Bengals. The fourth overall pick in 2011, he played nine seasons at Cincinnati, highlighting the Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis era that saw him earn numerous individual accolades and lead the team to consistent regular season success.

The Georgia product enjoyed immediate success in the NFL, eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark as a rookie. He repeated that feat in each of the next four seasons and once again in 2017. This last campaign was the seventh straight in which he was named Pro Bowler. In 2012 and 2013, Green also earned second-team All-Pro honors as one of the league’s most accomplished players.

Over the course of his career, the 6-4, 207-pounder has established himself as a top receiver in terms of possession (receiving 100 or more targets on eight occasions) and scoring ability (recording 70 touchdowns, including double-digit touchdowns in three seasons). He was not, however, limited in terms of use, as indicated by his average of 14.5 yards per reception. His impressive career totals are slightly more notable considering he missed the entire 2019 season with an ankle injury.

Despite his time on the sidelines, Green finished his career with 10,514 receiving yards. That ranks 44th all-time in NFL history and fourth among active players. He ranks second on the Bengals franchise list, behind only Chad Johnson. One of the best receivers of his generation, Green hangs up his boots without regret.

“I’ve never been a man of many words, so I’ll be brief,” reads his Instagram post. “Thank you. Thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged and inspired me throughout my career. Special thanks to the University of Georgia, Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals for the opportunity to continue my dreams. I stuck with the game and it owes me nothing. Bless you… The next chapter begins.