Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Redskins: Predicting the results of the 2018 NFL quarterback carousel

By Jacob Camenker

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins passes the ball in the first half of a football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 30: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins passes the ball in the first half of a football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 14
Next
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 10: AJ McCarron #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – DECEMBER 10: AJ McCarron #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. McCarron

Why would the Bengals look to move on from Andy Dalton? Well, the easiest answer to that question is they may be forced to make a decision as an organization. With A.J. McCarron set to either be a restricted free agent or unrestricted free agent, the notoriously money conscious Bengals will be forced to pick. Do they keep Dalton, or do they keep McCarron?

For those wondering about McCarron’s case, it essentially boils down to an argument about number of years of league service. Per CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, McCarron contends that he was kept on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list longer than he should have been during his rookie year so he wouldn’t accrue a service year. The case has been argued in front of an arbitrator and the ruling will come in February.

This is crucial, as being a restricted free agent would mean that the Bengals can put a first round tender on him. If that was the case, then any team who signs McCarron to an offer sheet that the Bengals don’t match would have to surrender their first round pick to get him. If nobody signed him, that would make him return to the Bengals on a cheap, one year deal. If he was an unrestricted free agent, the Bengals would have to choose to let him play the market or franchise tag him. In that case, if he walked, the team would only get a potential compensatory pick. So, needless to say, this is a big deal.

Live Feed

3 reasons Baltimore Ravens were able to finalize deal with Lamar Jackson
3 reasons Baltimore Ravens were able to finalize deal with Lamar Jackson /

Ebony Bird

  • Houston Texans: Who is Chase Winovich and what does he bring to the team Toro Times
  • DJ Chark news further proves Lions made the right decision SideLion Report
  • Houston Texans: Who is the newest defensive back, Jimmie Ward Toro Times
  • Houston Texans: Who is the Texans' free agent wide receiver, Noah Brown Toro Times
  • Chargers can now reunite with Casey Hayward Jr. and it makes too much sense Bolt Beat

    • Also, it’s worth noting that before the trade deadline, the Bengals had tried to trade McCarron to the Browns. So, it seems that they think he is expendable. At the same time, it could have been that the second and third round picks they were due to receive were just too enticing to pass up on. And maybe, they wanted to get rid of McCarron and not have to worry about the outcome of the arbitration case. Or maybe they wanted to ensure they would get proper compensation for McCarron in the event that he does become an unrestricted free agent.

    So, why would the Bengals keep McCarron over Dalton? Easy. They need change. Dalton has quarterbacked the team for seven years. He’s not going to get this team over the hump. Marvin Lewis was given yet another chance, but now it’s his turn to make a change.

    The Bengals should consider trading Dalton to a quarterback needy team, in this case the Bills, for either a first round pick or a couple of seconds. They could probably get it and use that to further rebuild their team. Then, they can sign McCarron to a contract that might be slightly discounted from Dalton’s $16 million deal. It’s not entirely clear if that will happen, but it’s possible.

    Lewis likes to stick with personnel he’s had, as the Bengals seem to hate change. But McCarron isn’t that much change. It’s just giving a backup a chance to make is as a starter. And that could work out.

    Home/Commanders News