The Sports Xchange

The Cincinnati Bengals signed wide receiver A.J. Green to a four-year, $60 million contract extension Friday that runs through the 2019 season.

Green’s rookie contract was set to expire after this season. His total contract is worth $70 million over five years.

“This is great news as we head to play the Raiders,” Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement. “Everyone in football, and people who follow football, know that A.J. is a special talent. He makes plays that you wouldn’t think could be made. He’s an outstanding teammate and a leader you can rely on. He still has a long, great future ahead of him in Cincinnati.”

The 6-foot-4, 207-pound Green was selected fourth overall by the Bengals in the 2011 NFL Draft and has been a Pro Bowl player on a playoff team in each of his four seasons. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton, also drafted in 2011, are the most productive QB-WR duo in NFL history for players in their first four seasons. Their 324 completions and 4,735 yards are the most for any duo in seasons 1-4, and their 33 TD connections are tied for the most, along with Dan Marino and Mark Clayton of the Miami Dolphins (1983-86).

Green has averaged 83 catches, 1,219 yards and nine touchdowns over his four seasons. His career totals are 329 catches for 4,874 yards and 35 touchdowns.

“Everyone knows I just want to play football,” Green said. “Playing in Cincinnati has been great for me and I want to stay here. So getting this done is great. I’ve still got tons I want to accomplish in the NFL.”

The Bengals will be in pursuit of a fifth consecutive NFL playoff berth when they open the season Sunday at Oakland.

“A.J. makes all of us better,” Dalton said. “As a quarterback, you can put up a contested ball for him that you might not put up for everybody. We’re focused right now on 2015, but this is great to know for the long run.”

The Bengals also waived linebacker Jayson DiManche and fullback Mark Weisman from the reserve/injured list.

DiManche, a third-year player from Southern Illinois, received an injury settlement. Weisman, a rookie from Iowa, completed his injury rehab.