Former St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback AJ McCarron signaled a potential end to his football career during a recent TikTok Live session. McCarron, who posted 1,582 passing yards and 15 touchdowns in the 2024 UFL season, stated he is considering stepping away from professional football.
The 33-year-old signal caller completed his UFL tenure with the Battlehawks, recording a 64.3% completion rate and 94.6 quarterback rating. McCarron added 87 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground during the 2024 campaign.
McCarron’s 2023 XFL season showcased his talents as he led the Battlehawks with 2,000 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, earning league MVP honors. His 68.8% completion rate and six interceptions highlighted his efficiency in the offense. St. Louis just missed the playoffs to the Seattle Sea Dragons .
The 2024 UFL season presented challenges for McCarron as he sustained an ankle injury in Week 7 against the Birmingham Stallions. He returned to the field for the final stretch of the season, leading the Battlehawks to the playoffs. St. Louis’ championship pursuit ended with a 25-15 loss to the San Antonio Brahmas in the XFL conference championship game.
McCarron’s path through professional football included stints in both the NFL, XFL and UFL. His NFL career spanned from 2014-2021, where he accumulated 1,192 passing yards and six touchdowns across appearances with the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, and Oakland Raiders.
The Mobile, Alabama native’s collegiate career at the University of Alabama set records, as he guided the Crimson Tide to consecutive BCS National Championships in 2012 and 2013. McCarron finished his Alabama career with 9,019 passing yards and 77 touchdowns.
McCarron’s relationship with the Battlehawks ended following communication issues regarding his release. The quarterback stated he learned of his release through his child rather than team management.
The Battlehawks have moved forward, signing quarterbacks Chevan Cordeiro, Max Duggan, and Manny Wilkins for the 2025 season. These three players will compete for the starting position as St. Louis enters a new chapter.
The UFL kicks off its second season on March 28, 2024, following the merger of the XFL and USFL. The eight-team league continues operations across the Midwest and Southern United States.
1 Comment
by Ken Granito
I have commented many articles regarding AJ McCarron. To me it is a large shame that AJ McCarron could not see the difference between being outspoken and being a bad teammate. Adrian Martinez won the MVP, but AJ McCarron is by far and away the best passer in the UFL. To those who act otherwise, you are trying to fool the fans because overall he has shown to be a bad sport. That stated the league is much better with AJ McCarron and AJ McCarron is much better with the league. Although I think of the song Angry Young Man by Billy Joel when I think of the way McCarron has spread his opinions about the league and his coaching staff, I more hope this becomes the Prodigal Son returning to the UFL and understands where he went wrong. I had previously stated the number 1 place for him to go is San Antonio. They have great coach with a very good offense. The defense is first rate. With McCarron they are going in as the #1 team in the UFL. This is also the best place because Kellen Mond hasn’t thrown a pass in a competitive game in 3 1/2 years and that was 3 a whole 3 throws. Kevin Hogan is a great support system, but what if McCarron came back and stuck to playing football. The UFL would not just be great this year, but would be in good hands for when they expand to 10 teams. If McCarron proves that he has learned nothing he could simply be released, but Kellen Mond would have had a chance to get his feet wet and will be better prepared to take over. Literally a win win situation. If Jordan Ta’amu comes back I prefer him in DC or St. Louis. If Ta’amu is not in DC is a very nice home for McCarron. To me, DC, St. Louis and San Antonio should all have enough fan base that it will be more fun. Though I feel McCarron would work really well in playing the Kurt Warner role in Ken Whisenhunt’s scheme, I am unsure if the team is 100% ready to battle it out. He should have the receivers. Just overall I would hate to see him retire. He has made mistakes, but he also has brought his family to the games and played to a very high level. He is what the league should be. If he has learned anything he will end his career on a high note when it is his time to do so. He will get to share the competition with his wife and kids and they can see a more mature man. If he has learned nothing it will be easy to see and you can go from there. Personally, the league has been great and he has largely been it’s best passer. If nobody signs him, it appears to be collusion. To simply say he is an aging QB seems so false. It’s almost like no one wants to sign him because they are colluding against him. I feel if they really felt someone would sign him then other teams would be pressured to sign him and he would be signed already. I am going to be hopeful. I am going hope someone signs him and I am going to hope he has done some growing up and realizes that although he is the best passer in the UFL, they can survive without him. It is really that simple. If you can be a team guy in San Antonio it can be beautiful. If not Kellen Mond will find out what he can do with Kevin Hogan as a strong safety net. Most of all I wish the league comes to the right conclusion, whatever that is.