NFL Rumors: Darren McFadden won’t sign with Cincinnati Bengals

Oct 27, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) rushes for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) rushes for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 27, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) rushes for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden (20) rushes for a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports /

After making it sound as though Darren McFadden’s only home in free agency this year was with the Cincinnati Bengals, it turns out that the banged up running back will have to look for work elsewhere. In his column on free agent running backs, NFL.com scribe Marc Sessler noted that he’s been informed the Bengals won’t be signing Darren McFadden this offseason.

Per Sessler:

"But it won’t happen. That’s what one agent told us at the NFL Scouting Combine. Too bad for McFadden, because his best season came in 2010 under Hue Jackson, the new Bengals offensive coordinator who found a way to unleash the back during their time together in Oakland."

The newest destination for McFadden, at least according to Sessler, could be the Denver Broncos but it looks like Run DMC is in for a rough free agency. He’s not developed into the back he was supposed to be and is oft-injured — two things that red flag all veteran running backs hitting the market.

He’s still got gas left in the tank, but there seems to be a puncture somewhere in the tires because McFadden hasn’t come very far in his NFL career and he’s already seemingly on his last leg.