As teams are preparing this offseason for a whole new year of football next season, quarterback AJ McCarron is doing enough to receive praises from the Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff.
In a notes report by NFL Media's Albert Breer, the Bengals coaching staff believes McCarron is "fully capable of becoming a starting-quality player" after what he have shown this offseason.
McCarron was selected in the fifth-round by the Bengals in the 2014 NFL Draft but was unable to play due to shoulder soreness and was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list.
Cincinnati did not see the need for the 24-year-old to return to action last season since the combination of quarterbacks Andy Dalton (starter) and Jason Campbell (backup) worked out well as they reached the Wildcard playoffs but were ousted by the Indianapolis Colts, 26-10.
But now that McCarron's shoulder is fully healed, he has been making strides this offseason and is emerging as the top backup quarterback for Dalton.
Breer also wrote in his report that McCarron is "throwing the ball better than he ever has, showcases top-notch pocket presence" and is showing that the NFL is not that big of a stage for him.
As of now, McCarron is not being considered as a threat to Dalton for the starting job but he will likely be once the 27-year-old fails to bring them farther into the playoffs next season.
Dalton led the Bengals to four straight postseason appearances but is still unable to win a playoff game for a 0-4 record.
In the past four seasons, they lost in the Wildcard playoffs to the Houston Texans twice (2011, 2012), San Diego Chargers (2013) and to the Colts.
McCarron already received praises from teammate defensive end Wallace Gilberry earlier this month.
"The kid is doing awesome. When I say awesome, that's kind of an understatement. I mean, last year, he kind of struggled with the arm situation. But this year, man, he looks like AJ from St. Paul's with the way he's throwing the ball," Gilberry stated on his appearance on WNSP-FM 105.5.
"His throwing motion is on point. His passes are on point. I think he's thrown one interception the whole camp. Not to say Andy (Dalton) has thrown any, but the kid is competing," he added.
Although Gilberry said that Dalton is still their guy to start at quarterback for the Bengals.
