Who Should I Start? AJ McCarron or Marcus Mariota

Wednesday, February 14, 2:08 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Wednesday that they released quarterback AJ McCarron. The Bengals signed McCarron back in November for more quarterback depth after starter Joe Burrow (wrist) was lost for the season. The 33-year-old veteran signal-caller appeared in two contests for Cincinnati in relief of Jake Browning down the stretch and went 4-for-5 for 19 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He'll be searching for a new team to play for this offseason. The former fifth-round selection of the Bengals in 2014 out of Alabama has a 63.1 career completion percentage with 1,192 passing yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions in his seven years in the NFL with Cincy, the Houston Texans and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Tuesday, March 12, 11:07 AM

Free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota is signing a one-year, $6 million deal worth up to $10 million, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The former No. 2 overall pick in 2015 is set to join his fifth team after five years with the Tennessee Titans, two years with the Las Vegas Raiders, and one year a piece with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles. In 90 games (74 starts), Mariota has passed for 15,820 yards, 93 touchdowns, and 55 interceptions. He's added over 2,000 yards and 17 scores on the ground. He's set to join a quarterback room that already has Sam Howell, and the Commanders are likely to take a quarterback in the 2024 NFL Draft with the No. 2 overall pick. That said, Mariota will likely be competing for the backup job, though some teams choose to start a veteran early in the season as they ease a rookie into action. Mariota slightly enters the two-QB and Superflex league fantasy radar for 2024.