Cincinnati Bengals signing a vateran QB from Alabama for…

As per the terms of the contract (2024 salary cap hit in brackets, from OverTheCap.com): Joe Burrow is worth $29.7 million.

What the Bengals will probably do is sign Browning since they can’t bargain with him and all they have to do is offer him the league minimum, which is set at $915,000 for a player with one year of cumulative playing time, which is Browning’s situation. If McCarron decides to play again, the Bengals may sign him.

It’s also feasible that they search for a different veteran to come into camp, or they might even select a quarterback on the third day of the NFL Draft to start him on the path to becoming a backup in the future.

In his seven starts as a substitute for the injured Burrow, Browning demonstrated his ability to play well, and the Bengals are lucky to acquire him at a cost that fits the budget of the franchise. His market value, according to Spotrac.com, would be $10.4 million for a two-year contract.

The obvious thing for the Bengals to do is sign Browning, but they should also offer him a bit more than the veteran minimum as a token of appreciation for a job well done replacing Burrow. They should re-sign McCarron if he is still willing to play and accepts his position as a third quarterback who will probably be on the practice squad.

Since he spent a significant portion of the previous season on the open market before signing to the Bengals practice squad on September 23, 2023, it’s unlikely that anybody would claim him at the final cut. Due to his experience in the offensive system, McCarron’s return makes sense. Under new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher, little is anticipated to alter in this regard.