Cincinnati Bengals May Add Quarterback Regardless of Jason Campbell’s Health

Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jason Campbell (17) sits on the ground after being hit against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 41-39. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Campbell had his moments last night against the Kansas City Chiefs, including two touchdown tosses, but it was mostly a game to forget.  Bad went to worse when a smack to his throwing elbow knocked Campbell out in the third quarter, and the Cincinnati Bengals’ backup quarterback was scheduled to undergo tests on Friday.  Now, the team may look for alternatives regardless of Campbell’s health, according to Geoff Hobson at Bengals.com:

"The Bengals may be adding a quarterback even if tests on backup quarterback Jason Campbell’s throwing arm are negative.  He took a pretty good shot Thursday night and with the Jets in here in eight days (Aug. 16- 7 p.m.), the Bengals need some health there."

Rookie A.J. McCarron continues to rehab from a shoulder ailment, and it was painfully obvious last night that Campbell might not be the answer were starter Andy Dalton to go down for an extended period of time.   The Indianapolis Colts found out the hard way a few years ago just how devastating the loss of a franchise quarterback can be to a team’s results.  

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The problem at this point, of course, is that there aren’t a lot of alternatives left on the market.   The Bengals’ best bet might be to get as many arms as possible into camp and get the newcomers some reps to see if anything clicks.  If nothing else, they should keep running Matt Scott out there at least as often as Campbell to make the backup job a legitimate competition.

If McCarron can come back completely healthy, then he looks like the right kind of QB for the Bengals, despite his reputation for arrogance.  With a below-average arm but good decision-making skills, McCarron graded as an adept game manager for a team with a strong defense and running game, and apt description of what the Bengals hope to be in 2014.