New Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron has stated that he was 'hurt' by reports last week which suggested that he displayed a cocky attitude when meeting various team executives prior to the NFL Draft.

The Bengals chose McCarron in the fifth round, although he was projected to go much earlier.

His questionable demeanour during talks with prospective franchises led to his slide down the board, but McCarron has argued that he was just being himself.

"I guess when teams met with me, they wanted me to say I'll be a third-round guy and a mediocre quarterback," McCarron told reporters. "Maybe I was too honest or something.

"I'm an honest person and I say what I feel. That's how I feel about my play. If that turns a team off, then at the end of the day, to me, they didn't really want you. I was myself.

"It hurt me, but at the same time, I feel like God had a plan. Everything's going to work itself out. I'm happy, and hopefully at the end of the day I'll get the last laugh."

McCarron will be competing with Andy Dalton for the Bengals starting spot when their training camp begins next month.