Quarterback is returning back to bengals

The second shoe dropped for AJ McCarron on Friday, when the St. Louis Battlehawks announced that the former Alabama All-American would return for another spring season.

The announcement came after the Cincinnati Bengals announced on Wednesday that the NFL team had released the quarterback, giving him a free agent who could sign with any club.

Last season, as the St. Louis quarterback, McCarron led the XFL in touchdown passes, completion %, and passing efficiency.

St. Louis was one of four XFL franchises that joined four USFL franchises to form the United Football League. The UFL clubs begin training camp later this month, with the inaugural season beginning on March 30.

The Bengals added McCarron to their practice squad on September 23. When starting quarterback Joe Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist during Cincinnati’s 34-20 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16, McCarron became Jake Browning’s backup for the rest of the season.

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

In nine games with the Battlehawks last season, McCarron completed 203-of-295 passes for 2,150 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

McCarron, an All-State football and baseball player at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile, was the starting quarterback for Alabama’s two BCS national championships. During his time with the Crimson Tide, McCarron earned the Maxwell Award, finished second in the Heisman Trophy race, and set career records for throwing yards and total offense yards, among other things.