AFC Notes: Bengals, Patriots, Steelers

Bengals

• Albert Breer would be surprised if the Bengals traded backup QB A.J. McCarron for anything short of a “blow-em-away deal.“
• Breer says that Cincinnati could have gotten a second-round pick for McCarron during the offseason but ultimately elected to hold on to him.

Patriots

Mike Reiss takes a look at four players who are building momentum for the Patriots during training camp and four players with work to do.

• According to Reiss, the four players on the rise include DT Adam Butler, LB Harvey Langi, WR Devin Lucein and DE Deatrich Wise Jr.
• Conversely, Reiss lists QB Jacoby Brissett, DE Kony Ealy, OT Tony Garcia and ST Matthew Slater as players looking to build some momentum.
• In regards to Ealy, Reiss says he was mostly working with the backups and end-of-roster players during Wednesday’s practice and it appears as though he could be fighting for a roster spot at this point.

Steelers

Steelers GM Kevin Colbert mentioned that the team has “to be prepared” for life after Ben Roethlisberger.

“I think there’s a lot of football left,” Colbert said, via Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But Ben has had a great career to this point. If he walked away he’s going to be a Hall of Fame candidate no matter what happens from this point on. But when I watch him, I see a lot of fire. … But in reality he’s 35 years old. Then again you look at the great quarterbacks like Peyton Manning, like Tom Brady. This is really where they cemented their legacy, from 35 to 40ish range, and of course Brady’s still doing it.”