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The Bengals suffered a pretty significant loss today as back-up quarterback AJ McCarron won his grievance against the team and gets to become an unrestricted free agent, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The grievance was over his placement on the non-football injury list in 2014.
Source: #Bengals QB AJ McCarron won his grievance against the team. He’ll be a free agent.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 15, 2018
And if freedom from Marvin Lewis and the Bungles isn’t enough, AJ is also receiving lost salary from the 2014 season:
#Bengals QB AJ McCarron, to be an unrestricted free agent, is also due lost salary from 2014 with interest, I’m told. That’s when he was on the NFI list.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 15, 2018
Rapoport explained on NFL Network that McCarron had a strong case against the Bengals because he was kept on the NFI list despite passing his physical:
From @NFLTotalAccess: #Bengals QB AJ McCarron, who won his grievance, will suddenly be a free agent… and he becomes an intriguing name. Keep an eye on the #Browns and #Vikings, among others. pic.twitter.com/KIhj515SdY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 16, 2018
McCarron, of course, was almost dealt to the Cleveland Browns back in December, but the trade fell through under mysterious circumstances. Either way, the Browns and Hue Jackson get another shot at him, and it won’t cost them multiple assets this time around. (What a surprise the Browns nearly made a dumb-ass trade.)
His wife, Katherine Webb, released a lengthy Instagram post before the ruling came down and touched on the Browns and excitement over what their future holds:
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One of the biggest lessons we have learned these past 4 yrs is to “Let go, and let God”. Over these years I have seen huge growth personally and athletically from AJ since his time at Alabama. Humbleness, gratefulness and patience most of all. I truly do see this difference and I wished you all could see it the way I have in our home. Becoming a father has opened his eyes most of all to our purpose. To be a better example to our youth and to lead by example, always. AJ likes to not always go with the crowd, and do or say the most popular things. Such as expressing gratitude when we almost were traded to Cleveland. Competitiveness and leadership lives deep down in his soul, so he would have loved nothing more than the opportunity to try and help change an organization around and get them a win, while showing his talent. No matter if it was the Browns or somewhere else. I can’t wait for him to get his chance to show the world his talent and his leadership. He was born for this. Any organization would be lucky to get this man and I truly feel this way. These past 4 years weren’t a waste at all. It was undeniably meant to happen this way so that he could be prepared for the next chapter. Looking forward to what God has planned next!