Much of the hype around Garoppolo is understood. He’s a former second round pick. He’s spent the past three seasons learning under Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. To top it off he could have his second ring as a backup by the time the off-season goes active in March. He also played pretty well in his brief appearance at the start of the season.
However, it’s still fair to wonder why there hasn’t been more talk about another young backup who could be on the block. The Cincinnati Bengals know they need to reload their roster after their first season out of the playoffs since 2010. One way they could help stockpile more draft picks is by dealing A.J. McCarron.
The former fifth round pick from 2014 is well-liked by the coaching staff. However, his contract is becoming an issue. With Andy Dalton firmly entrenched as starter, the time is approaching for the team to make a decision. Either they deal McCarron while he still has trade value or just keep him until he chooses to leave in free agency. The 26-year old made it clear he was definitely open to the idea of becoming a starter elsewhere.
“Nothing I can do about it,” he said. “I try not to worry about it. You’re always going to think about it. I’d be lying who ever told you I wouldn’t. If they were going through the same situation you’re going to think about it because you want to play as a competitor. But I’ll let my agent handle everything and go with whatever he says.”
McCarron remains somewhat of a polarizing player among those in the NFL community. At Alabama he was the consummate winner, guiding the Crimson Tide to national championship victories in 2012 and 2013. He threw for 8,630 yards, 74 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions in his three years as a starter. Some believed he has the capacity to become a quality quarterback in the pros. Others think he was just a byproduct of the machine Alabama has been under Nick Saban.
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