Who Should I Start? AJ McCarron or Sam Darnold

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, October 14, 4:59 PM

Fantasy managers were understandably skeptical as to whether quarterback Sam Darnold could follow up his outstanding 2024 season with the Minnesota Vikings this year after heading to the NFC West to play for the Seattle Seahawks. Through six weeks with his new team, it's clear that the former third overall pick out of USC is picking up where he left off. The 28-year-old continued to play well in Week 6 against a ball-hawking Jacksonville Jaguars defense and finished just shy of 300 yards passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Darnold has latched onto star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba as his go-to target, and it's working. Since a mediocre 150-yard, no-touchdown performance in Week 1, Darnold has thrown for multiple touchdowns in five games and has gone 98-for-138 for 1,391 yards, 11 TDs, and three picks. He continues to be aggressive downfield and should at least be rostered in every fantasy league as a high-end QB2 going forward. He'll really be tested in Week 7 against a Houston Texans defense that has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to opposing QBs through five games.