A.J. McCarron: 3 Teams That Make Ideal Trade Partners
By Erik Lambert
Cleveland Browns
This is the most obvious destination. The Cleveland Browns have an obvious need for help at the quarterback position. They have plenty of draft currency to entice the Bengals into a deal even though the teams share a division. To top it off Hue Jackson is their head coach. Prior to this he was the offensive coordinator for Cincinnati and was present for when they drafted McCarron three years ago in 2014. It’s as clear a match as one will find.
More from NFL Mocks
- 2024 NFL Mock Draft Journal: Cardinals, Falcons tank for USC QB Caleb Williams
- Patriots News & Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott talks fun in Foxboro; Mills to Packers?
- Fantasy Football: 5 reasons Colts QB Anthony Richardson can be a top-end option
- Packers’ Lukas Van Ness will make a Lambeau leap into the NFL in 2023
- 2024 NFL Draft: Hunter Haas’ Top 50 Big Board
Chicago Bears
Something to remember here is that McCarron was brought up in the Alabama system. His job was to feed the running game, make big throws off play action and above all protect the football. That is the exact style of play the Chicago Bears are looking for. They have Jordan Howard to run the ball and a trio of stud interior linemen to maintain a solid pocket. McCarron would be able to play his style of ball control offense, which he won two national titles with.
Houston Texans
It didn’t take long for Bill O’Brien to scratch the Brock Osweiler experiment. As for Tom Savage, he doesn’t look like the future of the Houston Texans either. This team needs to find some sort of answer at the quarterback position. If they’re not willing to explore the draft, which has been the case for year under Rick Smith, then reasonably priced trade with Cincinnati for McCarron makes sense. He’s smart and efficient and takes coaching well. Just the kind of guy O’Brien likes.