The Cincinnati Bengals are highly impressed by the development of A.J. McCarron.

Cincinnati's coaching staff believes McCarron is "fully capable of becoming a starting-quality player," according to NFL Media's Albert Breer.

Although McCarron is no threat to Andy Dalton's QB1 job this summer, his development could lead to a shorter leash should the starter continue to struggle in primetime and playoff games.

Dalton's six-year, $96 million contract is essentially a year-to-year proposal.