A.J. McCarron, one of spring football’s most successful quarterbacks may find himself on the outside looking in this UFL season. Barring an injury to another team’s starting quarterback, after parting ways with the St. Louis Battlehawks McCarron’s UFL options could be drying up.
What’s Next for UFL’s A.J. McCarron?
McCarron’s contentious departure from St. Louis may have sealed his fate. But it would be sad for the talented 34-year-old whose professional football career was once so promising.
McCarron – A Collegiate Superstar
As the star of the Alabama Crimson Tide, McCarron graced the cover of Sports Illustrated with the headline speculating he was one of the best collegiate quarterbacks ever. He led the Crimson Tide to back-to-back BCS National Championships completing over 9,000 career yards with 77 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions.
As a senior, he was named the Maxwell Award winner and runner-up for the 2013 Heisman Trophy ranking second behind Jameis Winston.
McCarron – A Disappointing Draft
Entering the 2014 draft, McCarron was graded as a probable NFL starter. Despite lacking deep ball arm strength, he was regarded as an efficient game manager with solid decision-making skills. Although he was projected to go in the second or third round of the draft, eight quarterbacks were selected before him.
Finally, in the fifth round, the Cincinnati Bengals drafted him with the 164th overall pick. The only reason given for his deep drop in the standings was he came across as cocky and arrogant in pre-draft interviews.
McCarron – The NFL Years
However, his time in Cincinnati was spent as a backup to starting quarterbacks Andy Dalton and Joe Burrow. His best year with the Bengals came in 2015 when he started three games in relief of Dalton, earning a 2-1 record. Closing out the final four games of the regular season McCarron passed for 832 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions.
Cincinnati won their division that year with a 12-4 record and made the playoffs. McCarron was the starting quarterback in the Wild Card match against the Steelers. He completed 23 of 41 passes for 212 yards with one touchdown, and an interception in a losing effort as Cincinnati’s season came to an abrupt end.
But McCarron saw only limited action in 2016 and by 2017, he was on the trading block. After a botched trade to Cleveland never materialized, McCarron became a free agent. He signed with Buffalo the following year but a pre-season shoulder injury led to an early waiver.
Over the next four years, McCarron spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and the Atlanta Falcons. Sadly, his NFL career can be summed up by limited playing time with promising moments interrupted by a series of injuries.
During his time with the Bengals, he suffered from shoulder soreness and a fractured thumb. In Buffalo, he injured his shoulder, and a torn ACL during a Falcons pre-season game ended his time in Atlanta.
McCarron Finds Success In Spring Football
Once a marquee spring football star, McCarron was praised by Dwayne Johnson for stating in a postgame interview that he “chose to play in the XFL rather than take a more lucrative position as an NFL backup.” Playing in the XFL allowed McCarron more on-camera time for his children to watch him on TV.
During his two seasons with the Battlehawks (2023 with the XFL and last year with the UFL), McCarron passed for 3,732 yards with 39 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. In the 2023 season finale, McCarron had a career game. He passed for 420 yards and six touchdowns, setting an XFL record for the most passing yards and touchdowns in a single game. He shattered another record for the most touchdowns in a season with 24. His success in spring football led to a second invitational stint with the Bengals. But after spending another season warming the bench, McCarron requested his release.
St. Louis head coach Anthony Becht invited McCarron to join the UFL Battlehawks, telling him he reserved a spot. Initially reluctant to join the league, McCarron had concerns regarding the pay structure. But ultimately Becht persuaded McCarron.
Ironically, McCarron’s UFL career began and ended due to conversations with Becht. A year later, their relationship had soured to the point that Becht decided McCarron would not be invited back. Instead of an amicable parting, McCarron accused Becht of requiring him to play while still recovering from his ankle injury.
Accusations went back and forth as McCarron accused Becht of releasing the news of his exit prematurely rather than issuing a joint press statement. Rather than being dismissed by Becht, McCarron declared that his contract had ended and he was now a free agent and reaffirmed his desire to return to the league with another team.
Does McCarron Have a Future With the UFL
Of the eight teams in the UFL, most have settled on their quarterbacks heading into training camp. The Memphis Showboats were one of two teams with an opening for a third quarterback on their roster. But that quickly changed when the Showboats signed E.J. Perry immediately upon his release from the Michigan Panthers.
The only other team with an opening is the D.C. Defenders. While McCarron expressed interest in playing for a division rival and beating Becht twice in one season, McCarron would be battling Jordan Ta’amu (and potentially Emory Jones) for the number one slot.
Another point against McCarron’s signing could be his reputation for being outspoken and courting controversy. His history of bad blood with Becht could also deter Reggie Barlow.
In a league still growing and hoping to attract new fans, a quarterback who stirs dissension isn’t a desirable commodity. One only has to look at the chaos caused by former NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodger’s divisive leadership led to the dismissal of the head coach and GM, and cost the team a lost season. Fortunately for Jets fans, they have a fresh start with new head coach Aaron Glenn. With the departure of Rodgers, former Birmingham Stallions Adrian Martinez might finally have a chance to shine for the Jets.
So, where does that leave McCarron? If the opportunity arose, would he be a good fit for the Defenders and Fred Kaiss’s offensive scheme? McCarron has a history of injuries including his recent ankle injury from last season. Will age and injuries bar his return to the UFL? One thing is certain, McCarron has the talent and a reputation for beating the odds. I wouldn’t bet against the “King Of Spring” just yet.
Main Photo: Sam Greene/The Enquirer-USA TODAY NETWORK
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