AJ a free agent: Bills announce two-year deal for quarterback A.J. McCarron

Where AJ McCarron will end up will most likely be decided after Kirk Cousins chooses which team he wants to go to.

McCarron is currently awaiting a decision on his grievance, which will determine whether he is a restricted or unrestricted free agent this offseason.

The very smart money is on him being a restricted free agent. That means any team looking to acquire McCarron would have to part way with some sort of compensation to get him.

ESPN recently put together a list of 10 bold predictions, and in that list they gave a landing spot for Cousins during free agency. They think the Jets will outbid the Browns for Cousins’ services. They didn’t stop there though.

They also predicted later that the Browns would trade for McCarron as well as draft a quarterback.
Josh Allen is the first pick in the April’s draft ... but he doesn’t start a game in 2018
The Browns take the big Wyoming quarterback No. 1 overall but sit him for at least a year behind AJ McCarron, whom they acquire when they lose out on Cousins. McCarron doesn’t love having to play with a first-round pick looking over his shoulder, but his reunion with coach Hue Jackson -- his former offensive coordinator in Cincinnati -- makes it more palatable. Besides, if you can win a couple of games with the Browns, think of how attractive that would look to future employers.​

I think McCarron liked the idea of heading to Cleveland more when it was assumed he would be the guy there. Obviously, if the Browns take a quarterback in the top five picks, McCarron won’t be viewed as the long-term quarterback. It will also make his job difficult considering Hue Jackson may have a short leash next season, so if
McCarron struggles Jackson could try throwing in Allen to try and save his job.

It isn’t all bad though. Cleveland does have some offensive talent despite what they put together last season. Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman are very talented receivers, and David Njoku proved he could be a real mismatch in a few seasons, not to mention they have a far better offensive line than what the Bengals had last season and a stable of talented runners, including Duke Johnson Jr.

If this is how it went down, then I don’t think McCarron would be too upset. If he gets a full season to show what he has before hitting free agency then I don’t think you could ask much more as a quarterback in his situation. You would probably like that opportunity to be somewhere aside from Cleveland but still. After all, beggars can’t be choosers.

There is still a very good chance the Browns don’t go through with this. It was clear from their last trade that the asking price for McCarron is fairly high. They could alternatively try and get whichever quarterback the Vikings let walk this offseason out of Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford.

The idea of the paying a second or third round pick for a quarterback they will only start for a season seems pretty dumb, but then again this is the Browns.

ESPN predicts AJ McCarron to start for the Browns in 2018
 
You know if AJ wins a game for the Browns, he's flavor of the month in the NFL. Marv Lewis decided to come back to the bungles, and since he is hell bent on making Dalton an all-world QB, it's time for AJ to catch a new gig. I agree with all of you about the $hitstorm Cleveland is, but he'll start...and he'll produce. And speaking as a Steelers fan, I wouldn't mind in the slightest if AJ torched the Steel Curtain.
 
Man i hate it for AJ. Because they will win 1-2 games. AJ's reputation will be ruined. Then they will bench him in year 2 for whatever QB they draft in this draft.... That is if he even stays healthy through this season, which will be tough. I really wanted AJ to make it. Cleveland = Careers Die
 
Well, think about it this way. If AJ is stuck backing up Dalton again then at least the Browns will waste another pick on a QB that is doomed and maybe he will sign with a team that is decent. Just sucks because QBs have such a short shelf life and he's never even really been given an opportunity.
 
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