A.J. McCarron is available, but the Bengals have set a lofty asking price for the quarterback. Cincinnati wants “at least” a first round pick for him, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). 
It’s hard to see any team making that kind of offer for McCarron, even when considering the dearth of high-level quarterbacks in the draft and free agency. That’s just fine for the Bengals who value McCarron highly as Andy Dalton‘s understudy. McCarron personally wouldn’t mind a trade out of Cincinnati, but he won’t be going anywhere unless the Bengals have a sudden change of heart.
Because McCarron spent most of his rookie year on the non-football injury list, he’ll be a restricted free agent after the season instead of an unrestricted free agent. That development made him even more valuable to the Bengals since they can keep him at a bargain basement price through the 2018 season. McCarron will carry a modest $735K cap number in 2017 while top backups elsewhere are earning $4-$5MM.
Trade Dalton for cap relief. Promote AJ and get a first round pick for Dalton and draft up to the the best WR they can. Then they might have some resemblance of the Bengals from two years ago.
Dalton getting a 1st…. I don’t see that happening. Maybe a 3rd for him and his contract. I don’t think a lot of gms are high on what Dalton beings to the table. Having AJ Green has made Dalton a lot better IMO.
McCarron has ability and has done his time watching and developing behind the scenes. That time taken for his development intrigues teams if it was done right. I think the Bengals are doing it right. At least a 1st should be their asking price.
I didn’t say just Dalton for a first. Trade as many picks as you can to get a top tier WR in the draft and get rid of the contract. This way they have cap to sign AJ long term if it works out.
Browns give them the 33rd pick it’s close enough to a first
If I’m the Browns and I decide to to get the best O line guys with the first rounders, I take that deal. Pass of Myles, don’t have to worry about drafting a QB and improve what Dalton will also be losing in Cincy next season since their O line is depleted from what it was. And they have the cap for the contract. Lord knows that. Lol
Swap 1st rd picks with Jets and swap AJ McCarron for Sheldon Richardson plus a 3rd or 4 th round pick to Jets for trading back a few spots.
Why would the Jets give up the two best assets there? Maybe if you trade your first for the Jets 2nd and 5th instead then you could get something done. McCarron is good, but not good enough to warrant moving ahead AND Sheldon Richardson.
They want to move on from Richardson and they need a quality QB so maybe then bengals give up a 2nd rd pick for the Jets trading back!! But the bengals won’t give up there 1st and not have one lol
If the Bengals want Richardson and a better first rounder for McCarron and a lower first that’s ridiculous. McCarron and the Bengals first now , 6th now, and 7th next year for Richardson, 2nd this year, 4th this year, and a conditional 5th next year that escalates based on performance.
Who knows what they want, I’m not Gm or owner. If you can get in Mike Browns head I’ll shake your hand. I’ve been a bengals fan for over 30 years and I’ve yet to figure out his thought process!! I do know they would never do your proposed deal and the Jets would only move 3 spots from 6 to 9 basically the 2nd round pick would make up for that and both players straight up fits a need for both teams!!
This is where as a player that is considered extremely valuable to an organization but is getting highjacked due to a clause that keeps them tied into an extremely below market value deal during their prime needs to decide between the glory and riches that the NFL offers and using that free first rate education that was given to you as a collegiate athlete. In the case of McCarron I believe he was a fairly smart guy so why not use those smarts to either pursue something you were educated for or use them to gain some leverage and security for you and your family’s future. Right now the Bengals don’t have any back up plan so why not wait until after the draft and the UDFA frenzy and wait till the eve of training camp to threaten retirement or even just file the paperwork with the NFL. If they’re not willing to give in on something like that extra year before free agency or sign an extension that provides some security then allow yourself that leverage and be willing to follow through with walking away with your health intact. I always hear about how players shouldn’t do this but I’ve never understood it. An NFL career is so short and most last only a year or two so you need to be a little selfish because the teams have way too much at their disposal to limit the players and their careers. I never thought I would side with the players in anyway but this is one instance that I am not a fan of.
The eve of camp really places a team in a terrible spot. Just ask any Lions fan and you’ll hear the story of Barry’s retirement.
Dalton can’t fetch a 1st or a 2nd. So the Bengals are insane asking for that for their backup QB. No way anyone offers anything close to that asking price.
A 1st for Katherine Webb though, that’s a good deal.
Also – that pic makes him look like A.J. McDonald’s. #doublechin
You don’t get 1st or 2nd round picks for marginal starting QBs, let alone a backup. They’ll be lucky to get a 4th rounder for A.J. Might as well keep him.