A.J. McCarron, the ex-Alabama quarterback, intends to join the UFL this spring after leaving the Cincinnati Bengals. NFL reporter Howard Balzer stated that McCarron requested his release from the Bengals to rejoin the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks. McCarron, aged 33, played for the Crimson Tide from 2009 to 2013, securing three national titles during that period.
This won’t mark McCarron’s first venture into spring professional football. He previously played for the Battlehawks in 2023 in the XFL, where he was named MVP, topping the league in touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer rating. Last year, McCarron threw for 2,150 yards and 24 touchdowns with six interceptions in nine games.
“Huge for the city. QB1 back in action,” remarked Pro Football Newsroom insider James Larsen.
Training camp for UFL players begins on February 24, with the season starting on March 30. Similar to 2023, McCarron can rejoin the Bengals after the UFL season, as he did after the XFL campaign. The XFL merged with the USFL to form one spring league this season.
McCarron initiated his professional career with the Bengals after being selected as their fifth-round NFL Draft pick in 2014. He served as a backup to starter Andy Dalton from 2014 to 2017 before moving on to the Buffalo Bills and later the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Subsequently, McCarron spent time with the Houston Texans in 2019 and 2020 before a one-year tenure with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, which was marred by an ACL tear. The Battlehawks provided McCarron with an opportunity for a comeback when they drafted him in 2022, leading to his return to the Bengals in 2023.
McCarron experienced success early in his NFL journey when he stepped in for Dalton during the 2015 season. He went 2-1 in three starts, throwing for 854 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions in seven overall game appearances.
Another starting opportunity didn’t materialize for McCarron until the 2019 season in Houston, following minimal playing time with the Bengals from 2016 to 2018. His lone start with the Texans resulted in a loss, completing 56.8% of his passes for 225 yards and one interception.
Despite his experience, McCarron only made two appearances for the Bengals this past season, with Jake Browning taking on the starter role in place of the injured Joe Burrow.
As a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2013, McCarron achieved notable success during his time in Tuscaloosa. He completed 66.9% of his passes, throwing for 9,019 yards and 77 touchdowns with 15 interceptions in four seasons with the Tide.
A native of Alabama, McCarron rose to local prominence at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile, Alabama, earning All-State honors in football and baseball before being recruited by former Tide head coach Nick Saban. Following Saban’s retirement in January, McCarron praised his accomplishments but indicated he saw it coming.
“He accomplished everything he set out to do,” McCarron commented about Saban in an interview with AL.com in January. “I’m not sure what else he could do.
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