McCarron talks about failed trade
CINCINNATI — AJ McCarron was getting his son ready to go trick-or-treating as Ace Ventura when his agent called with shocking news: The Cincinnati Bengals were trading the quarterback to the Cleveland Browns.
Then came another jolt: The trade fell through because paperwork wasn’t filed with the NFL office in time.
McCarron was still processing the whirlwind events Wednesday, a day after a clerical mistake meant he’d stay in Cincinnati as Andy Dalton’s backup. The AFC North rivals agreed to the trade shortly before the 4 p.m. deadline. The Bengals said they filed their paperwork on the deal, holding up their end of the bargain.
“All you have to do is notify the league office you’re making a deal, and that’s an easy thing, which we spoke to a person in there,” coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday.
McCarron doesn’t understand how the trade was botched.
“There’s no telling,” McCarron said. “I’m lost like everybody else.”
He’ll be on the Bengals’ sideline Sunday when Cincinnati (3-4) plays at Jacksonville (4-3). McCarron hasn’t played this season even though Dalton has been limited by a sprained left ankle for a couple of games. The Bengals’ agreement to trade him was an indication he’ll soon get a chance to compete for a starting job somewhere instead of remaining a backup in Cincinnati.
The Bengals had been reluctant to trade the two-time national champion from Alabama, who is in the final year of his contract. McCarron proved his value after Dalton broke the thumb on his passing hand late in the 2015 season.
Patriots pick up Hoyer
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady didn’t go without a backup for long.
New England signed former San Francisco quarterback Brian Hoyer on Wednesday to fill the role, a day after Hoyer was released by the 49ers after they acquired Jimmy Garoppolo in a trade with New England.
Hoyer began his career as Brady’s backup in New England in 2009, and he has spent time with seven NFL teams during his nine-year career. He started the first six games this season for the 49ers before being benched for C.J. Beathard. Hoyer now returns to back up a quarterback who been one of the most durable in the league during his career.
Hoyer practiced Wednesday. New England’s next game isn’t until Nov. 12 at Denver.
Osweiler to start again
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Brock Osweiler knows just how to turn the Denver Broncos’ quarterback switch into more than a temporary gig.
“Ball security is job security,” Osweiler said.
Doesn’t Trevor Siemian know it. Siemian’s half-dozen turnovers during Denver’s threegame losing streak cost him his starting job 48 hours after his three ugly interceptions wasted a strong defensive performance in a 29-19 loss at Kansas City.
“It came down to what’s best for our football team and frankly, what’s best for Trevor’s future,” coach Vance Joseph said Wednesday after naming his starter for Sunday, when the Broncos (3-4) visit the Philadelphia Eagles (7-2). “The team was OK with it. They trust Brock. He’s been here before.”
Osweiler started seven games in place of an injured Peyton Manning two years ago, going 5-2 while helping the Broncos secure home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs on their way to their Super Bowl 50 title. After bolting two months later for $37 million in guarantees from the Houston Texans, Osweiler embarked on an 18-month odyssey that included a playoff win, a benching, a blow-up, a trade, the birth of his daughter, his release from Cleveland and ultimately a return to Denver.