Bengals set to hold onto McCarron for at least 1 more year – WTOP

FILE - In this Sept. 1, 2016, file photo, Cincinnati Bengals' AJ McCarron (5) throws against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati. Bengals backup quarterback McCarron is looking at another year of barely getting on the field, and maybe longer. (AP Photo/Frank Victores, File)

CINCINNATI (AP) Bengals backup quarterback AJ McCarron is looking at another year of barely getting on the field, and maybe longer.

With the draft a few days away, Cincinnati has given no indication its willing to trade him to a team that would give him a bigger role. Its a challenging situation for McCarron, who proved he could lead a team into the playoffs in 2015 if given the opportunity.

As a competitor, you always want your chance to play, McCarron said Monday. But it will happen. I just have to wait my time. I believe that, and I trust in my ability to keep showcasing what I can do and then get my opportunity.

The two-time national champion at Alabama got his chance when Andy Dalton broke the thumb on his passing hand late in the 2015 season. McCarron, a fifth-round pick, started the last three games and won two of them. His late touchdown pass to A.J. Green had Cincinnati ahead in the closing minutes of a playoff game against Pittsburgh before a pair of defensive penalties helped the Steelers move in range for the winning field goal.

Last year, he was relegated to a backup role again, getting into only one game without throwing a pass.

Although theres great demand in the NFL for starting quarterbacks, the Bengals havent shown an inclination to trade him. Theyre content having him as the backup in case Dalton gets hurt again.

Its great to be wanted, it really is, McCarron said.

Even so, its difficult to go back to being the backup after leading a team to the playoffs. Dalton has been extremely durable during his six-year career the broken thumb was his only significant injury so the odds are against McCarron getting much chance to play until his contract ends.

Hes in a situation similar to Jimmy Garoppolo in New England, which hasnt shown an inclination to trade Tom Bradys backup.

McCarrons original deal runs through this season, but theres a catch. He showed up for training camp with a sore shoulder as a rookie in 2014 and was unavailable for most of the season, which could affect his status. Instead of being an unrestricted free agent, the Bengals think he should be a restricted free agent after the 2017 season because he missed most of his rookie season.

As a restricted free agent, McCarron could wind up spending the 2018 season in Cincinnati as well.

Were still going through all that, McCarron said. And its probably going to go into next year. Its just something theyre going to fight on their side and something Im going to fight on my side to prove why I shouldnt have to have another year.

McCarrons eagerness to move into a starters role is tempered by his appreciation for how the Bengals drafted him. They stuck with him after he missed most of his rookie season because of the sore shoulder, which improved after he got stem cells injected. In a year or two, hell get his chance.

There were some quarterbacks that got some pretty nice pay days this offseason, McCarron said. Hopefully in my future, one of those days is coming up.

___

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Read more:
Bengals set to hold onto McCarron for at least 1 more year - WTOP