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Jason Campbell
Position: Quarterback
Height:6-5
Weight: 235
Age: 32
College: Auburn
Hometown: Laurel, MS
NFL Experience:10
The Cincinnati Bengals signed quarterback Jason Campbell to a one-year contract this offseason. Though his stay in Cincinnati could be short, the Bengals hope the veteran will help in the development of Andy Dalton.
Entering Year 4, Dalton doesn't have much room to improve, but Campbell will be the backup with the most experience Dalton has ever played with.
Campbell went to Chicago as an unrestricted free agent for 2012 and to Cleveland as an UFA for 2013. He started eight of Cleveland's last nine games last season, completing 180-of-317 passes (56.8 percent) for 2015 yards with 11 TDs and eight INTs. He has 16,697 career passing yards, with 87 TDs vs. just 60 INTs. His career passer rating is 81.8. Campbell was released by Cleveland on March 12 after the team planned to go with Brian Hoyer and a rookie draft pick, which turned out to be Johnny Manziel.
"Jason obviously has extensive playing and starting history," said Marvin Lewis after the team signed Campbell, "and as a back-up (to Dalton), he can provide the stability and experience we're looking for in that role. His experience will be a great asset to our other quarterbacks."
The former first-round pick of the Washington Redskins took over Cleveland's starting QB position in Game 8 of last season and posted 100-plus passer ratings in his first two starts, at Kansas City and vs. Baltimore. He was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his Nov. 3 performance against Baltimore, leading a 24-18 win with 23 completions in 35 attempts for 262 yards, three TDs and no INTs (rating of 116.6).
Campbell will be the best backup QB the Bengals have had since Dalton became the full-time starter as a rookie. Now, he'll have a veteran behind him with plenty of starting experience who can help him take the next step in his development, and hopefully help Cincinnati make a deep playoff-run in 2014.