The St. Louis Battlehawks are releasing quarterback A.J. McCarron on Friday according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writer Ben Frederickson.
A.J. McCarron is six foot three and weighs 220 pounds. The 34-year-old from Mobile, Alabama, re-signed with the St. Louis Battlehawks on February 16, 2024.
In 2024, McCarron completed 164 of 255 passes (64.3%) for 1,582 yards, 15 touchdowns, four interceptions, 23 carries for 87 yards, and one touchdown in nine games. In the XFL Conference Championship game against the San Antonio Brahmas, McCarron completed 19 of 29 passes (66%) for 179 yards, one touchdown, and two carries for five yards.
The Battlehawks confirmed the release on X (formerly Twitter). “The UFL continues to be a league of opportunity and we have come to a decision to move forward looking at new opportunities at the quarterback position,” said head coach Anthony Becht.
“A.J. McCarron has been a tremendous part of the success of our team the last two seasons and we are grateful for all of his contributions. It’s with respect for A.J. that we wanted to provide him a clear path forward as he decides what is next in his football future.”
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted McCarron in the fifth round (164th pick) of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played three seasons in Cincinnati completing 86 of 133 passes (64.7%) for 920 yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions, and 14 carries for 31 yards in 11 games.
Next, McCarron signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2018 but was later traded to the Oakland Raiders. He played one season in Oakland completing 1 of 3 passes (33.3%) for eight yards, and three carries for -2 yards in two games.
Then, McCarron signed with the Houston Texans in 2020. He played two seasons completing 22 of 38 passes (57.9%) for 245 yards, one interception, five carries for 39 yards, and one touchdown in four games. McCarron would sign with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 but missed the season with a knee injury.
In 2023, McCarron completed 203 of 295 passes (68.8%) for 2,150 yards, 24 touchdowns, six interceptions, 29 carries for 100 yards, and one touchdown in nine games for the Battlehawks in 2023. He was named the XFL MVP after the season. He led the league in passing touchdowns, completion percentage, and passer ratings.
After the season, McCarron signed with the Cincinnati Bengals completing 4 of 5 passes (80%) for 19 yards in two games. McCarron asked and was granted his release by the Bengals to return to St. Louis.
Collegiately, McCarron played four seasons at Alabama (2010-13) completing 686 of 1,026 passes (66.9%) for 9,019 yards, 77 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 119 carries for -50 yards, and three touchdowns in 53 games for the Crimson Tide.
McCarron was a three-time BCS National Champion, two-time Second Team All-SEC, First Team All-American, Third Team All-American, and winners of the Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and the Kellen Moore Award in 2013.
