Re: AJ McCarron Wins Grievance Against Bengals and Will Become Free Agent
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1713557-how-to-define-a-franchise-qb-in-todays-nfl
Here is a BR article outlining the parameters for being a franchise QB from 2013. Probably some overkill here but it takes in several factors including marketability. Per these parameters they came up with there are 11 franchise QB's. I don't think AJ is a top 11 QB now but he may turn into one if given the chance.The term franchise qb is often associated with the idea that a qb has long term protections guaranteed by the franchise. Dalton is an example. AJ played very well but had an uphill battle that overtake him as the starting qb because of the tag.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1713557-how-to-define-a-franchise-qb-in-todays-nfl