Went 2-1 down the stretch as starter in 2015
As a mid-round pick, AJ McCarron signed the standard four-year rookie deal ? so he has one year left on his contract. Perhaps with a look to the future without McCarron, the Bengals claimed rookie QB Jeff Driskel off waivers at the start of the year and carried him on the 53-man roster all season. But, he wouldn’t be too upset if he were to be dealt.
“I definitely wouldn’t be distraught at all. … Now, it’s nothing I can do. … You’re always gonna think about it. I’d be lyin’; whoever told you that I wouldn’t, or if they were going through the same situation, you’re going to think about it. Because you want to play as a competitor,” McCarron said. (The Cincinnati Enquirer)
Nerdy Football Analysis: McCarron became a bit of a forgotten man in 2016 as Andy Dalton stayed healthy, but he proved himself to be at least a competent NFL quarterback at the tail end of last season. Players like Jimmy Garoppolo are going to attract more attention this spring, but McCarron may be a sensible lower-cost option for a team unwilling to surrender a first-round pick for a somewhat unknown quantity at quarterback.