If nothing else, you can say Greg McElroy keeps things objective.

The ESPN personality was a recent guest on Cleveland radio show Bull & Fox on Sports Radio 92.3 The Fan to discuss the quarterbacks expected to be in consideration for the Browns in the upcoming NFL Draft before the conversation turned to Cincinnati free agent QB A.J. McCarron.

Having spent time on the Alabama roster with McCarron, McElroy possesses a unique perspective on his former teammate, who is hoping to cash in this offseason by landing a healthy contract from a team in need of an upgrade at quarterback.

While many commentators may have held back on any judgment of a former college teammate, McElroy did no such thing. Here’s what McElroy had to say when asked if he thought McCarron would be a starter in the NFL.

“A.J.’s a friend, so, I’ve known him a long time and I’m obviously rooting for him to become a starter but if I have to put my analyst cap on I have to ask the question what’s the difference between A.J., Brock Osweiler and Mike Glennon? I have my questions there,” McElroy said on the air.

“We’ve seen backups get big money and it just hasn’t come to fruition. So it’s not to say he can’t be different but I don’t have the proof otherwise. I think back to the time he played back in 2013, and I think of his supporting cast. Do you guys remember how stack that Bengals team was? Andy Dalton was an MVP before he broke his hand.

“You had Marvin Jones as your No. 3 receiver, Mohamed Sanu was your No. 2, A.J. Green as your 1. You had Tyler Eifert and Jermaine Gresham at tight end. (RBs) Jeremy Hill, Benjarvus Green Ellis, Giovanni Bernard, it was a who’s who, Andrew Whitworth at left tackle… Unbelievable roster, they were as talented as anyone that year.

“I hope A.J. gets paid a ton of money, and I hope he gets a chance to start, but if I’m a GM, I have my doubts and concerns that he won’t be like the other guys.”

That was a pretty honest assessment of a former teammate from McElroy there. He made some good points, but considering the lack of quality starters in the NFL, there’s little doubt a team won’t overspend in the hopes that McCarron is there answer under center this offseason.