The most popular backup quarterback in Cincinnati Bengals
history is now an unrestricted free agent. AJ McCarron won his grievance
against the Bengals and can now sign with any NFL team the he chooses. It is a
big win for McCarron as he now has a shot to prove that he has what it takes to
be a legitimate starting quarterback in the National Football League.
As for the Bengals, losing McCarron is a costly loss for the
franchise as they will get nothing but a compensatory pick when McCarron signs
with another team. Considering that the Bengals were on the verge of completing
a blockbuster trade with the Cleveland Browns in exchange for the Browns’
second and third round draft picks, only getting one compensatory pick is a big
time downgrade in terms of McCarron’s return value. Had the Browns been able to
complete the trade on their end, we would be talking about how the Bengals
essentially stole two picks from the Browns. Instead we are left to wonder what
could have been if the trade had been finalized.
Speaking of what could have been, Who Dey Nation will be
left to wonder what could have been should McCarron have been named the
starting quarterback over Andy Dalton. I am not bashing on Dalton. I am a
Dalton fan and think he is a good quarterback. I’m not saying he is elite, but
when it comes to current day NFL teams, there are a number of franchises that
would love to have Dalton throwing the ball. However, McCarron is a proven
winner. Just check out film from his days with the Alabama Crimson Tide. When
Dalton broke his thumb in 2015, McCarron stepped in and played well enough to
not only help the team win a few games to close out the regular season, but he
almost guided the Bengals to their first playoff win in 25 years. I would have
like to see what McCarron could have done had he been the starter for an entire
season.
Unfortunately, the Bengals had other plans. Instead of making
the starting quarterback job up for grabs in training camp, Dalton was always
going to get the nod over McCarron. I will always root for my Bengals, but I
like McCarron and hope he gets a starting job on another team. Maybe he will
show the Bengals what they were missing. Or maybe he will prove the Bengals
were right in not making him a starting quarterback. Either way, I wish him
nothing but the best…except when he plays he Bengals in which case I hope Geno
Atkins or Carlos Dunlap take him to the ground with an earth shaking sack.
Who Dey!
