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Cincinnati Bengals 2015 Training Camp Profile: QB AJ McCarron

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AJ McCarron Cincinnati Bengals

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals have something to be excited about in their quarterback position as the team heads into training camp. Fifth-year quarterback Andy Dalton has led the team to the playoffs in each season he has been in the league and the Bengals have the ideal insurance policy in backup AJ McCarron. Although Dalton has the credentials and the contract to be the starter come Week 1, the Bengals’ coaching staff believes that McCarron has the capability to one day be a starting quarterback.

McCarron has been getting some attention in this year’s offseason workouts as the quarterback has made progresses in his recovery from a shoulder soreness that kept him sidelined his entire rookie season. Defensive end Wallace Gilberry shared his comments during OTAs saying that McCarron had improved his throwing motion and that he was performing well.

This past week the Bengals released Terrelle Pryor following their three-day mandatory minicamp, which solidifies McCarron as the team’s No. 2 quarterback. Since Dalton was drafted by the Bengals in 2011, he has started every game in his career. The development of McCarron as a potential starter in the near future could be the motivation Dalton needs to improve going into the 2015 season.

McCarron, a two-time National Champion during his collegiate career at Alabama, now looks like an NFL ready quarterback.

Dalton’s contract, worth $96 million, keeps him with the team through the 2020 season. However, it is essentially a year-to-year contract and the Bengals can choose to opt out of the contract before the 2016 season.

Many believe that if Dalton begins to struggle in 2015, especially in prime time games, he should be replaced. With the emergence of a running game and a healthy set of receivers, Dalton will have the best supporting cast he has ever had around him in order to succeed this season.

One thing is certain, it will be exciting to see what McCarron will be able to do with his first snaps a Bengal in the 2015 preseason. However, it will be even more exciting to see what the Bengals will decide to do about their future at quarterback if McCarron continues to impress.

Dan Miller is an NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @RealDANimal45, or add him to your network on Google.

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