The Bengals have ripped off one of their pre-season goals long before Saturday's first practice when they indicated they have wrapped up wide receiver Tyler Boyd on an extension and then promptly turned their attention to doing the same with franchise player A.J. Green.
"We want to get them both done," said director of player personnel Duke Tobin as Green also heads into his contract year.
The news came out of Tuesday's training camp media luncheon at Paul Brown Stadium and validates Boyd's emergence as Green's running mate at receiver in the high-flying scheme new head coach Zac Taylor has brought from the Rams. The deal is expected to be signed later Tuesday.
"He's a great separator. He's got great hands," Taylor said. "Great attention to detail. Very coachable. All the traits we're looking for in our receivers."
Bengals president Mike Brown all but confirmed reports that Boyd had reached a deal, which has been reported at four years, $43 million and appears to have been reached when Boyd nudged over the $10 million per year mark.
"He'll be here later today," is as far as Brown would go.
It wasn't lost on Taylor that Boyd never uttered a peep as he headed into his contract year and showed up for all the off-season workouts.
"I think he's a great example of the type of player we have on this team," Taylor said. "He just put his head down and went to work. I really liked his approach and you like to reward guys (with) that approach. It sets an example for other guys on this team."
With Green sidelined for half of 2018 with a big toe injury, Boyd responded with his first 1,000-yard season. A year after finishing with 22 catches for 225 yards, Boyd went off for 1,028 yards on 76 catches even though he missed the last two games with a knee injury.
The 6-2, 203-pound Boyd operates at best in the slot, but the 14-play winning drive against Atlanta last Sept. 30 showcased his versatile toughness when he converted two fourth downs and a third down while his 21 catches of 20-plus yards were fourth best in the AFC.
"He doesn't scare," Brown said. "He's a difference-maker."
Green, 1,093 yards from becoming the Bengals' second 10,000-yard receiver next to Chad Johnson, turns 31 next week, but the Bengals have no qualms about giving him a deal that would take him to at least 35.
"The great ones tend to go longer," Brown said. "A.J. is that kind of guy."
Tobin looks at the way Green takes care of himself and sees no "drop off," because of age.
:The only thing I've ever seen of A.J. is his tremendous ability," Tobin said.
