Cincinnati Bengals NFL Trade and Roster Rumors: Quarterback A.J. McCarron Filed Grievance Against the Team
It appears that backup quarterback A.J. McCarron already had one foot out the door even before the Cincinnati Bengals tried (and failed) to trade him to the Cleveland Browns last week.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, McCarron filed a grievance against the team earlier this year in hopes of becoming an unrestricted free agent in this offseason. The ruling could also determine whether the Browns can sign him without compensation or whether the Browns would have to acquire his rights.
Interestingly, Schefter also revealed that McCarron's grievance actually dates back to his rookie season. Apparently, the former University of Alabama signal caller passed his post-draft physical after the Bengals selected him in 2014 draft, but they decided to place him on the nonfootball injury (NFI) list during training camp because of a shoulder issue.
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"In McCarron's opinion, he was healthy enough to come off the NFI list during training camp, which would have counted his rookie year towards free agency. But Cincinnati didn't add McCarron to its active roster until Dec. 9, meaning it was too late for him to accrue a season toward his free agency," Schefter said in his report.
"Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, a player receives an accrued season that counts toward free agency if he were eligible to play in six regular-season games," he added.
This is an interesting new twist in the drama involving McCarron. The ruling is expected sometime this winter.
Meanwhile, Browns vice president of football operations Sashi Brown has denied that their front office intentionally sabotaged the trade that would have sent McCarron to Cleveland in exchange for second- and third-round picks in 2018.
The team's mishandling of the trade has been roundly criticized by fans and pundits alike in recent days, but at least Brown knows how to take ownership of the team's struggles this season.
