Terrelle Pryor Gets Cut From Bengals, Changes Positions
Only mere hours after the Cincinnati Bengals announce the release of young journeyman footballer Terrelle Pryor came news from his agent that the former quarterback would now be switching positions to wide receiver.
NFL insider Adam Caplan broke the story, simply tweeting “Bengals waived QB Terrelle Pryor.†Not long after, the official Twitter handle of Pro Football Talk followed up with “Agent Drew Rosenhaus is informing teams that Terrelle Pryor is changing positions to receiver.â€
It appears Pryor – who has already worn four NFL uniforms entering only his fifth season – has conceded that he no longer has a reasonable chance of proving himself in the league’s most mentally challenging position, and so has opted to transition into a role more suited to his skill set.
The shift in positions is nothing new for college quarterbacks still adjusting to the professional ranks. Former QB Denard Robinson was repackaged as an “offensive weapon†– later changed to running back – when drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and there is speculation that his Michigan understudy Devin Gardner may do the same in an attempt to secure a spot on an NFL roster.
A phenomenal athletic specimen, Pryor lit up the high school and college ranks as a stellar dual-threat quarterback oozing with potential. He ran a sub-4.4 40 yard dash in the 2011 NFL Combine, eventually landing on the Oakland Raiders in the third round of that year’s Supplemental Draft.
Oakland was the only team on which he made any discernable difference; with the unquestioned highlight of his career being a 93-yard rushing touchdown to cripple the Pittsburgh Steelers at home in 2013.
As a wide receiver, the 233 pounder may take some trimming down before intrigued teams even think about giving him a workout, but his 6’4†frame, large hands and exceptional elusiveness make him an exciting prospect. Who knows, it could well be the Raiders – a team severely lacking offensive explosiveness – that give him another shot.
