BREAKING NEWS: Cincinnati Bengals release AJ McCarron…

Quarterback AJ McCarron has been dismissed by the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL franchise confirmed on

Wednesday. On March 13, the former All-American from Alabama was set to become an unrestricted free agent. With his release, McCarron becomes an instant free agent.

Anthony Becht, the coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks, stated last month that the team intended to have McCarron

back at quarterback for the 2024 campaign. Last season, McCarron led the XFL in passing efficiency rating,

completion %, and touchdown passes.

Since then, the United Football League has been formed by the union of four XFL franchises and four USFL

franchises, including St. Louis. Later this month, the UFL teams begin training camp; the inaugural season begins on

March 30. As of Tuesday, the sole quarterback on St. Louis’ roster is third-stringer Manny Wilkins, as the

Battlehawks cut quarterback Nick Tiano, who was McCarron’s backup in 2023. On September 23, McCarron was

signed by the Bengals to join their practice squad. In Cincinnati’s 34-20 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on November

16, starting quarterback Joe Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist. As a

result, McCarron filled in as Jake Browning’s backup quarterback for the rest of the season.

For the Bengals in two games in 2023, McCarron completed 4-of-5 throws for 19 yards, no touchdowns, and no

interceptions.

In nine games with the Battlehawks the previous season, McCarron completed 203-of-295 passes for 2,150 yards, 24

touchdowns, and six interceptions.

McCarron was an All-State baseball and football player at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile. He also started as

quarterback for two Alabama teams that won the BCS National Championship. In addition to setting the Crimson

Tide’s career records for throwing yards and total offense, McCarron was named the Maxwell Award winner and the

Heisman Trophy runner-up while he was a member of the team.

McCarron was selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for Cincinnati,

the Oakland Raiders, and the Houston Texans before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on

August 21, 2021, during an Atlanta Falcons preseason game.

Following the injury, McCarron was unable to play football until he joined the Battlehawks.