The Birmingham Stallions' unprecedented streak of championship appearances came crashing down Sunday, as an injury-ravaged roster fell 26-13 to Houston in their season finale. For the first time since the franchise's inception, the Stallions will watch the playoffs from home.
Head coach A.J. McCarron didn't mince words about what derailed Birmingham's season. The injury bug didn't just bite — it devoured his roster, particularly the offensive line that forms the backbone of any successful team.
"When 4 of your starting O-linemen go out in 3 weeks, it's hard to be successful. I don't care how many playmakers you got. I mean, you got to have time. It's just tough," McCarron said after the loss.
Makeshift Lineup Couldn't Hold Up
The desperation showed on Sunday's roster sheet. Birmingham trotted out five new offensive linemen who "hadn't really played much together," forced tight ends into receiver spots, and had players taking snaps at positions they'd barely practiced all season.
"We were running 10 personnel. You had Justin Ross out, you had Dion out, you had Kyrik brand new in there," McCarron explained. "We had 2 tight ends playing receiver spots. Like, it's tough."
The makeshift arrangements extended beyond offense. Donovan Smith, who McCarron noted "hasn't taken a punt return rep all year," found himself fielding punts. When your special teams coordinator becomes a position coach on game day, you know the depth chart has gone sideways.
Roster Size Debate Takes Center Stage
McCarron used his platform to lobby for expanded rosters, arguing that quality football suffers when teams scramble to sign Arena League players mid-week.
"I'm fighting for it because I think it helps quality of football. And if we're going to focus on football and not everything else from a league standpoint, then we — I know it costs money. I understand business. I own my own business, like, but we got to find a way," he said.
The coach painted a stark picture of game-week desperation: finding players "off the street or have been cut from other teams" and trying to "teach these guys an offense in 2 days basically" before Saturday kickoffs.
Chemistry Remains Despite Disappointment
Despite missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, McCarron expressed zero regrets about the team culture he's built. The first-year head coach emphasized the mutual respect between players and staff.
"I can't say enough good things about my guys. I think if you watch the game, hear them talk, you can tell I love them and they love me," McCarron said. "It's a mutual, you know, friendship and true love right there that we all care about each other."
He specifically praised veteran receiver Jaydon Mickens' leadership, calling him "gold" and promising to help him "10 years from now" if needed. McCarron believes his entire roster deserves NFL opportunities.
Looking Ahead to 2026
McCarron confirmed he'll return for the second year of his contract, dismissing any notion of returning to politics. He acknowledged the pressure that comes with coaching in Alabama, where expectations run championship-high.
"Hell, we all expect to win. I mean, listen, you live and you learn. It's part of it," he said. "Everything's not going to be perfect."
The coach admitted he'd approach next season's training camp differently, weighing the balance between getting adequate practice reps and keeping players healthy for the regular season.
Attendance Questions Surface
When asked about the announced attendance of 5,000 fans, McCarron questioned the accuracy. "They need to fix the counter," he said, estimating the crowd at closer to 8,000. The discrepancy highlighted ongoing questions about fan engagement as the league continues building its fanbase.
Birmingham's playoff miss marks the end of an era for the UFL's most successful franchise, but McCarron's commitment to returning suggests the Stallions aren't ready to abandon their championship aspirations just yet.