Bengals of Cincinnati release AJ McCarron
On January 7, 2024, at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium, quarterback AJ McCarron of the Cincinnati Bengals makes a throw while moving during an NFL game versus the Cleveland Browns.
Quarterback AJ McCarron was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals, the NFL franchise confirmed on Wednesday.
On March 13, the former All-American from Alabama was supposed to become an unrestricted free agent. With his release, McCarron becomes an instant free agent.
Anthony Becht, the coach of the St. Louis Battlehawks, stated last month that the squad intended to have McCarron back at quarterback by 2024. Last season, McCarron led the XFL in passing efficiency rating, completion percentage, and touchdown passes.
Since then, the United Football League has been formed by the union of four XFL franchises and four USFL franchises, including St. Louis. Later this month, the UFL teams begin training camp; the inaugural season begins on March 30.
As of Tuesday, the sole quarterback on St. Louis’ roster is third-stringer Manny Wilkins, as the Battlehawks cut quarterback Nick Tiano, who was McCarron’s backup in 2023.
On September 23, the Bengals added McCarthy to their practice squad. In Cincinnati’s 34-20 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens on November 16, starting quarterback Joe Burrow tore a ligament in his right wrist.
As a result, McCarron filled in as Jake Browning’s backup quarterback for the rest of the season.
For the Bengals in two games in 2023, McCarron completed 4-of-5 throws for 19 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.
In nine games with the Battlehawks the previous season, McCarron completed 203-of-295 passes for 2,150 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
McCarron was an All-State baseball and football player at St. Paul’s Episcopal in Mobile. He also started as quarterback for two Alabama teams that won the BCS National Championship.
In addition to setting the Crimson Tide’s career records for throwing yards and total offense, McCarron was named the Maxwell Award winner and the Heisman Trophy runner-up while he was a member of the team.
McCarron was selected by the Bengals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played in the NFL for Cincinnati, the Oakland Raiders, and the Houston Texans before suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on August 21, 2021, during an Atlanta Falcons preseason game.
