When the Memphis Showboats selected University of Kansas quarterback Jason Bean as their number one draft pick last July, the team seemed determined to address one of their biggest areas of need.
Selecting A QB Through The UFL Draft
A highly mobile quarterback in college, Bean's strong passing attack was enhanced by his rushing ability. His impressive college stats of 251 carries for 1,342 yards with 14 touchdowns offered the Showboats a dual threat at the position. However, either the Showboats neglected to do their homework, or they gambled and lost.
Two months before the UFL draft, Bean signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. Bean should not have participated in the UFL Draft if he was already committed to the Colts. But perhaps he was trying to hedge his bets.
As it turns out, Bean was waived by the Colts the following August. However, he re-signed to the team's practice squad the next day. While he didn't see any regular season action in 2024, Bean signed a reserve/future contract on January 6, 2025. As a result, he is ineligible to play for the Showboats during their 2025 season.
Returning Quarterback Options
The Showboats struggled last season with far too many sacks, incomplete passes, and interceptions. Despite appearing in only eight games, starting quarterback Case Cookus was sacked more than any other quarterback in the league. But Cookus wasn't entirely to blame for the situation that led to 20 sacks.
The dismal lack of offensive line protection was a big factor. Quarterback Troy Williams was left equally vulnerable with 15 sacks. Despite cycling through three different quarterbacks, the overall lack of stability and production from the position cost the team games they should have won.
Williams is back with the team this year and could potentially win the starting assignment. But he'll have to improve significantly over last year's numbers. Playing in a limited capacity, Williams completed 58 of 106 attempts for 591 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions.
Trading For An Experienced UFL QB
By the fall of 2024, the Showboats were also playing it safe. Choosing an insurance policy against Bean's unavailability, the Showboats traded defensive lineman Jordan Ferguson to the San Antonio Brahmas for quarterback Quinten Dormady. He started the UFL inaugural season as the Brahmas backup quarterback, but that quickly changed when Chase Garbers injured his wrist in week four.
Dormady played seven out of ten regular season games in Garbers' absence and helped lead the Brahmas to the Conference Title game against the Birmingham Stallions. Although the Brahmas lost to the Stallions, Dormady ended the regular season ranked number five in the league, completing 103 of 173 passes for 1,206 yards with six touchdowns and six interceptions. His longest touchdown pass was for 52 yards.
Right now, Dormady and Williams are the only two quarterbacks on the current roster, but there may be another option.
Another Potential Option For A UFL QB
As the league prepares for its upcoming season, another name is emerging as a possible option for the Showboats at quarterback. The latest rumors point to Memphis signing former St. Louis Battlehawks / Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, AJ McCarron. The former Alabama star was released by the Battlehawks in November of 2024 after McCarron allegedly refused to agree to a trade.
McCarron was a standout for the earlier spring football incarnation, the XFL St. Louis Battlehawks. The hottest quarterback in the league, McCarron broke the record for the most touchdowns in a single season with 24. McCarron was on fire in the final game of the 2023 season, setting single-game passing and touchdown records with 420 yards and six touchdowns.
McCarron was so successful that season, he was wooed back to the Cincinnati Bengals for a second opportunity. Although he remained primarily on the Bengals practice squad, he was activated briefly that season when the Bengals' backup quarterback Jake Browning was injured.
On February 16, 2024, McCarron agreed to join the UFL Battlehawks. As an established spring football veteran and star alumnae, MCarron's presence generated a lot of excitement.
With 1,582 yards in nine games with 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, McCarron was one of the stronger quarterbacks in the league. He led the Battlehawks to the UFL playoffs where a defeat to the Brahmas cost them a chance to play for the Championship Title.
Nonetheless, despite McCarron's solid season, he and head coach Anthony Becht had a contentious relationship. Unable to mend fences, the two parted ways in November of 2024.
However, McCarron has openly expressed an interest in remaining in the league and playing for another team this spring. Memphis, the ball is in your court.