Bengals Sign Fifth-Round Pick QB A.J. McCarron

The Cincinnati Bengals announced the signing of fifth-round pick QB A.J. McCarron on Thursday.

NEWS: #Bengals have signed 5th round draft pick: @10AJMcCarron (@AlabamaFTBL) #WhoDey #LetsRoar pic.twitter.com/fDMXqjqwtb

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) May 22, 2014

• The Bengals also signed seventh-round pick CB Lavelle Westbrooks to a four-year contract as well.

According to OverTheCap.com, McCarron’s four-year deal is worth an estimated $2,401,652 which includes a signing bonus of $181,652, according to OverTheCap.com.

McCarron started 40 games for Alabama and helped them win 36 of 40 games during his four-year college career. His average completion percentage was 66.9 to go along with 9,019 yards passing, 77 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

There is almost no shot whatsoever of him pushing Andy Dalton for the starting job. However, should Dalton struggle badly, things could get interesting given that Andy is entering the final year of his rookie contract and there could be calls from fans to make a change, depending on how bad things get.

At the very least, drafting McCarron gives the Bengals at least some leverage in contract talks with Dalton.