AJ McCarron Rumors: Latest Buzz Surrounding Free Agent QB After Early Flurry

The number of openings for free-agent quarterbacks has dwindled in the early stretch of the NFL offseason, but AJ McCarron may end up on the New England Patriots before the 2018 campaign.

According to Benjamin Allbright of 104.7 FM Denver, the Patriots are a potential destination for the Alabama product "if the price is right." Allbright specifically said to "keep an eye on" New England.

McCarron's NFL resume is not loaded with on-field experience.

He entered the league when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the fifth round of the 2014 draft, and he appeared in seven games in 2015. He completed 66.4 percent of his passes for 854 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions that season and started for Cincinnati in a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, finishing 23-of-41 for 212 yards, one touchdown and one pick.

McCarron had just 14 pass attempts in 2017 and is likely more known for his time with the Crimson Tide when he was the 2013 Maxwell Award winner and a two-time national champion for a college football powerhouse.

He is on the market this offseason because he won his grievance against the Bengals.

As a result, he became an unrestricted free agent, stripping Cincinnati's right to place a first-round tender on him had he been a restricted free agent. McCarron said his rookie campaign should have counted toward free agency because he was healthy enough to take the field even though he spent time on the non-football injury list.

Despite the availability, the potential destinations for a starting job are somewhat limited after an early flurry of quarterback activity.

Jane Slater of NFL Network reported the New Orleans Saints are bringing back Drew Brees, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the Denver Broncos will sign Case Keenum, Kirk Cousins will sign a fully-guaranteed contract with the Minnesota Vikings and Sam Bradford plans on signing with the Arizona Cardinals.

What's more, Josh McCown's agent, Mike McCartney, said his client agreed to a deal with the New York Jets—who are planning on signing Teddy Bridgewater as well, per Bryant McFadden of CBS Sports.

McCarron's chances at signing and becoming a starter with the Cleveland Browns also took a significant hit when Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported they traded for quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

The Browns no longer being a viable starting option is notable since Mark Inabinett of AL.com noted "Cleveland had been considered the front-runner to sign McCarron because the Browns tried to trade for him last season, when they missed getting the deal before the NFL trade deadline."

While McCarron's starting chances are shrinking, signing with the Patriots would figure to give him an excellent opportunity to win his first Super Bowl ring.

He would also provide quarterback stability for a team relying on Tom Brady at 41 years old in 2018. While he is unquestionably one of the greatest signal-callers in NFL history, durability could become a factor at the back end of his career, and Jimmy Garoppolo is no longer on the roster after New England traded him to the San Francisco 49ers last offseason.

If the Patriots sign McCarron, they would at least have a backup quarterback who has played in a postseason game should Brady suffer an injury in 2018.