If we learned anything about NFL Quarterback play this week… It’s that you should be very happy the Cincinnati Bengals have two quality Quarterbacks on their roster.
In a week that we see the Philadelphia Eagles give a very mediocre Sam Bradford a two year extension and the Washington Redskins putting the franchise tag on a inconsistent Kirk Cousins, you have to think that there is an NFL Franchise that would open their doors to have Bengals backup Quarterback A.J. McCarron under center every Sunday, right?
Although sample size is small, McCarron had to pass the test in his time on the field, right? I mean a small sample size got Matt Flynn a nice contract with the Seahawks… and please try to tell us that you think Matt Flynn was a better player than McCarron is today.
In the four games A.J. McCarron started in, there were plenty of ups and downs like any QB getting their first taste of NFL, but the skill set was definitely there. His third NFL drive, while taking over for Andy Dalton in week 14 against the Steelers, he hit A.J. Green downfield for a 66 yard Touchdown. His fourth quarter performance was unbelievable in the AFC Wildcard game against those same Steelers, we definitely saw a starting Quarterback during that stretch from the former 3 time NCAA Champion.
McCarron had a season where coming in for the injured Dalton he had seven touchdown passes (regular and post season) to just three interceptions. He was at his best when his team needed him the most (here comes a comment about the overtime fumble against the Broncos), and made some analysts question if he is better suited to run the Bengals than Andy Dalton.
So if you’re a team like the L.A. Rams who you really hope don’t give Nick Foles a chance, if you’re Hue Jackson and you’re going through the rookie QB’s you can bring to Cleveland, heck if you’re a team, like many in the NFL unsure if you either need to draft your QB of the future or replace the guy you have now…. Why look any further than a proven leader, a National Champion, and a guy who just doesn’t ever seem to play in a moment that’s to big for him… Why not see what you may have to give up for A.J. McCarron?
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