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The Cincinnati Bengals apparently have a very high opinion of backup quarterback AJ McCarron. The former all-time great Alabama signal caller has been backing up Bengals starter Andy Dalton since the 2014 season, and now that he’s been given some opportunity to show what he can do, Cincinnati is not eager to let him leave the franchise without a rival team paying a significant price.
Many have suggested division opponent Cleveland as an ideal landing spot for McCarron, considering the Browns are now coached by former Bengal offensive coordinator Hue Jackson – Jackson was McCarron’s OC during the quarterback’s three-game stint as the Bengals’ starting quarterback when Dalton suffered a season-ending injury during the 2015 NFL season. McCarron more than held his own during that span, playing well in a playoff game against Pittsburgh, giving many the impression that he could be a successful starting quarterback at the NFL level.
If Cleveland — owners of the first and 12th overall picks in the 2017 NFL Draft — bypass taking a quarterback in the first round of the upcoming draft, a trade for McCarron could be in the works. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland.com, the Bengals would be willing to deal McCarron inside the division, if the price is right:
The Bengals would likely want at least a second-round pick, one source said, and wouldn’t rule out trading within the division.
Considering Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and Dallas backup Tony Romo will both potentially be open to suitors this offseason, it seems unlikely Cincinnati will receive such a high ransom for McCarron given the alternatives. Although, if the Bengals’ price comes down or Hue Jackson is all in on his former quarterback, don’t be surprised to see McCarron get his first shot at leading an NFL team heading into the 2017 season.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
