The Bengals have given up the negotiation rights to QB AJ McCarron, releasing him into free agency.
McCarron was set to be a free agent in March, but the Bengals still held his exclusive negotiation rights up until that point. The QB requested his release, and the team is now allowing him to hit free agency early.
McCarron will be joining the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL, the new merger between the XFL and USFL. He previously was the starting QB for the Battlehawks last season when they were in the XFL.
This is a courtesy move by the Bengals, as McCarron reportedly requested his release. This does not come as a surprise, as in the past, he has expressed how much he enjoyed not only playing, but having his young kids and family be able to see him play. From reading between the lines over the past several months, it always seemed likely that he would end up back in St. Louis. Their season starts at the end of March, so being released early allows McCarron to sign with them now as they are set to begin training camp and prepare for the season.
The veteran QB returned to Cincinnati in week 3 of last season for his second stint with the Bengals. He started on the practice squad and was elevated to the active roster to backup Browning when Joe Burrow got hurt.
As for his future in the NFL, this probably doesn’t change anything. The Bengals are set to roll with Browning again as their primary backup, as he is only an ERFA and will easily be brought back. If injury hits, or if they are still looking for a 3rd string QB, the Bengals could always circle back and re-sign McCarron ahead of training camp, once the UFL season is over. That’s not to guarantee that they would be interested in him, but this move does not rule out the possibility.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: Keith Allison (CC)