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 Bengals re-signed Tyler Boyd. A look back at some of the best images during his Bengals career
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) celebrates his 12-yard touchdown reception against the Detroit Lions in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Detroit, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) reacts as he scores the winning touchdown as Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (24) lies on the ground during the second half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Dec 31, 2017. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 31-27. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WR Tyler Boyd
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) on the bench during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) takes the field with a member of the armed forces before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Cincinnati. (NFL Photos via AP)
Tyler Boyd runs a route against the Minnesota Vikings in a 2016 preseason game.
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd makes a catch along the sideline against the Miami Dolphins at home in week 5.
Tyler Boyd makes a leaping catch in the end zone for the Bengals' first touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) leaps in for a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd warms up before a preseason NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals' Tyler Boyd (83) catches a touchdown pass against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Tyler Boyd celebrates his first touchdown catch of the year as the Bengals beat the Baltimore Ravens in their 2018 home opener.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) poses for a photo on media day, Monday, June 10, 2019 in Cincinnati. (Aaron Doster/NFL)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) catches a pass against Denver Broncos free safety Justin Simmons (31) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd looks onto the field at Paul Brown Stadium before the Bengals host the Indianapolis Colts.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd runs in a touchdown during the first half of the team's NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Tyler Boyd runs down the field on kickoff coverage in a game against the Detroit Lions.
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd looks to catch a pass in a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd celebrates with Bengals fans after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
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.
