It has been the summer of bizarre contract situations, so the Bengals should thank their lucky stars that wide receiver A.J. Green is handling his quietly.
A fifth-year option is set to pay him just north of $10 million this season, but the Bengals would be wise to invest in their No. 4 overall pick from 2011.
While they work that out, Green doesn't seem to be sweating.
"You know I watch ESPN all the time, and that's all they talk about," Green told ESPN.com on Thursday during a local football camp he runs for children. "But like I say, I'm just here to play football. My body of work will speak for itself."
He added: "I don't get into all the 'I need a contract' stuff. I'm not here for money. I'm not broke. So I'm fine. I can wait until the end of the year to get a contract, but I know that time is coming."
The Bengals sound like a club potentially interested in flirting with the franchise tag option if Green isn't locked up sometime in the next seven months, which would be fine so long as Green's disposition doesn't change.
If the Bengals lose Green, they'd be losing the biggest asset currently legitimizing the sizable seven-year, $97.09 million contract that quarterback Andy Dalton is playing under.
Even if Jeremy Hill is a budding star, he can't help Dalton like Green can. There are very few players in the NFL who can.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast breaks down the latest news surrounding Jason Pierre-Paul's injury, as well as the Mettenberger and Watt feud. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.