The Cincinnati Bengals attempted to trade backup quarterback AJ McCarron to the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately for everyone involved, the Browns were apparently unaware of how sending in paperwork to the NFL office is meant to work.
Anyway, one would think this would make AJ McCarron feel upset, right?
Wrong. Rather than feeling like this was the Bengals not wanting him, McCarron is taking it being about the franchise giving him a chance and being wanted elsewhere.
“I’m not angry. I’m not upset. It feels good to be wanted,” McCarron said, via the team’s website. “Today I’m going to thank Mr. Brown personally. I admire that he was going to give me an opportunity to go start and play somewhere. I really appreciate that of him. He’s been an unbelievable owner in my experience here.”
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Bengals and Browns agreed to the trade at 3:55 p.m. The Bengals notified the NFL of the trade prior to the deadline. The Browns did not. For those unaware, the trade deadline was at 4:00.
The Browns did try one last ditch plea with the league to get the trade to go through, but were given a no-no by the NFL.
For what it is worth, this might actually be a blessing in disguise for the Browns. Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Bengals were set to receive a 2018 second- and a third-round pick in the lost deal. That seems like a lot for a relatively unproven commodity.
Knowing what we know now, fully expect AJ McCarron to be used as trade bait come the offseason.
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