CINCINNATI (AP) — Alabama star quarterback A.J. McCarron signed Thursday with the Cincinnati Bengals.
A fifth-round selection, McCarron led the Crimson Tide to two national championships, setting several school passing records. But his arm strength was questioned by many pro teams, and he slid to 164th overall in the draft.
McCarron will be a backup to four-year veteran Andy Dalton, who has gotten Cincinnati to the playoffs in each of his three pro seasons. But the Bengals are 0-3 in postseason games with Dalton.
After being drafted, McCarron said: “I’m confident in myself but at the same time, I know Andy’s the QB out there and I respect that.”
Cincinnati also signed cornerback Lavelle Westbrooks, a seventh-round pick out of Georgia Southern.
The Bengals have signed four of their eight draft selections.
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