Before the season, I believed the Stallions had the deepest, most talented QB room in the UFL.
Five different QBs have played in games this year for the Stallions.
- Alex McGough
- Matt Corral (IR)
- Case Cookus
- Alex Peasley (Injured)
- J’Mar Smith
Going 5–2 with 5 different QBs is an amazing feat. It’s just another example of Coach Skip Holtz doing a great job.
The QB craziness isn’t done yet, though.
Roster Changes
The Birmingham Stallions just released QB Jalen Morton after one week.
That made room on the roster to activate Alex McGough.
For Morton, it’s likely back to the AF1 to finish out his season.
As for Alex McGough, it’s hard to say what this means. Does he return to the QB1 spot where he started the season? Or will he assume a backup role?
Current QBs
The recent roster movements leave the Stallions with these three QBs:
- Case Cookus
- J’Mar Smith
- Alex McGough
Case Cookus
Case Cookus’s time as QB1 started a little rough. But, as I expected, he improved with time.
- 49–92 (53.3 %)
- 546 yards passing
- 5 TDs
- 2 Ints
- 134 yards rushing
He’s made some great throws this season. He’s also made some bad ones. But, overall, he’s done a solid job leading the team.
His contribution to the running game has been the biggest surprise. He’s not the most athletic, but he’s done a great job taking yards on the ground when they’re there.
J’Mar Smith
J’Mar Smith is a Birmingham legend at this point. Fans and teammates all love him.
He was retired just a couple of weeks ago. That didn’t stop him from leading a game-winning drive over the Houston Roughnecks this weekend.
His play and his energy were just the boost the team needed.
Alex McGough
What is Alex McGough in 2025?
Is he the former USFL MVP?
Or
Is he the guy who struggled in game one?
It’s hard to say, but with the playoffs fast approaching, the Stallions need to find out soon.
My Thoughts
The good news is that the Birmingham Stallions have 3 games left before the playoffs. That gives them time to figure out their QB situation.
The bad news is that they haven’t clinched their playoff spot and have a tough remaining schedule.
My guess is that Coach Holtz will take a similar approach with McGough as he did with Andrew Peasley.
Coach Holtz rotated Peasley in for a couple of drives because he feels that it’s important to have 2 QBs ready at all times. With this season’s wild QB carousel, he’s not wrong.
At this point, Smith and Cookus are relatively known quantities. It seems like a good idea to start one of them and rotate McGough in to see where he’s at.
If he’s anywhere close to MVP form, the Stallions will be tough to beat in the playoffs. If not, they have two other QBs capable of leading the team.
It may be a tough decision, but it’s a good problem to have.
