The Cardinals are bringing in another thirtysomething veteran who goes by his initials. Earlier they signed J.J. Watt. Now reports indicate they’ve agreed to a contract with A.J. Green, formerly of the Bengals.

Per reports, it’s a one-year deal for $8 million.

Green has been a great receiver for years, but he’s 32 and has slipped in recent years. He missed all of the 2019 season after injuring his ankle in training camp. Last year he struggled mightily to develop any kind of rapport with Joe Burrow, catching only 47 of the 104 passes thrown his way. Cincinnati got much better play from its other wide receivers, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. Green caught only 2 TDs in 16 games.

If Larry Fitzgerald returns, it will give the Cardinals a pair of veteran receivers who’s play has declined dramatically in recent years. Of the 62 wide receivers with at least 70 targets last year, only three averaged fewer than 6 yards per pass play. The Cardinals currently have two of those three players.

(The cupboard isn’t bare for Kyler Murray, of course; he’s also got DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk.)

WIDE RECEIVERS: YARDS PER TARGET
PlayerTgtRecYdsAvgTDYds/Ply
Will Fuller, Hou.755387916.6811.72
Justin Jefferson, Min.12588140015.9711.20
Nelson Agholor, L.V.824889618.7810.93
Corey Davis, Ten.926598415.1510.70
A.J. Brown, Ten.10670107515.41110.14
DJ Moore, Car.11866119318.1410.11
DK Metcalf, Sea.12983130315.71010.10
Chris Godwin, T.B.846584012.9710.00
Brandin Cooks, Hou.11981115014.269.66
Calvin Ridley, Atl.14390137415.399.61
Tyreek Hill, K.C.13587127614.7159.45
Tim Patrick, Den.795174214.669.39
Stefon Diggs, Buff.166127153512.189.25
Mike Evans, T.B.10970100614.4139.23
Davante Adams, G.B.149115137412.0189.22
Cole Beasley, Buff.1078296711.849.04
Kendrick Bourne, S.F.744966713.629.01
Jakobi Meyers, N.E.815972912.409.00
Mike Williams, LAC854875615.858.89
Zach Pascal, Ind.714462914.358.86
Emmanuel Sanders, N.O.826172611.958.85
DeAndre Hopkins, Ariz.160115140712.268.79
Curtis Samuel, Car.977785111.138.77
Amari Cooper, Dall.13092111412.158.57
Adam Thielen, Min.1087492512.5148.56
Hunter Renfrow, L.V.775665611.728.52
Marvin Jones, Det.1157697812.998.50
CeeDee Lamb, Dall.1117493512.658.42
Tee Higgins, Cin.1086790813.668.41
Terry McLaurin, Was.13487111812.948.34
Jarvis Landry, Cle.1017284011.738.32
Allen Robinson, Chi.151102125012.368.28
T.Y. Hilton, Ind.935676213.658.19
Robby Anderson, Car.13695109611.538.06
Michael Gallup, Dall.1055984314.358.03
Chase Claypool, Pitt.1096287314.198.01
Tyler Lockett, Sea.132100105410.5107.98
Christian Kirk, Ariz.794862112.967.86
Cooper Kupp, LAR1249297410.637.85
Jamison Crowder, NYJ895969911.967.85
Damiere Byrd, N.E.774760412.917.84
Darius Slayton, NYG965075115.037.82
Brandon Aiyuk, S.F.966074812.557.79
DeVante Parker, Mia.1036379312.647.70
Marquise Brown, Balt.1005876913.387.69
Tyler Boyd, Cin.1107984110.747.65
Josh Reynolds, LAR815261811.927.63
Laviska Shenault, Jac.795860010.357.59
DJ Chark, Jac.935370613.357.59
Jerry Jeudy, Den.1135285616.537.58
Keelan Cole, Jac.885564211.757.30
Sterling Shepard, NYG90666569.937.29
Robert Woods, LAR1299093610.467.26
Russell Gage, Atl.1097278610.947.21
Keenan Allen, LAC1471009929.986.75
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pitt.128978318.696.49
Darnell Mooney, Chi.986163110.346.44
Diontae Johnson, Pitt.1448892310.576.41
Anthony Miller, Chi.76494859.926.38
Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz.72544097.615.68
Greg Ward, Phil.79534197.965.30
A.J. Green, Cin.1044752311.125.03

—Ian Allan