Former Bengals QB A.J. McCarron continues to shine in the XFL
The Cincinnati Bengals don't draft quarterbacks very often, but the ones they do end up successful to some degree. Joe Burrow is self-explanatory. Andy Dalton was one of the most productive non-first round QBs drafted in recent memory. Carson Palmer's peak made him the highest-paid passer in the NFL at one point. A.J. McCarron was […]
The Cincinnati Bengals don't draft quarterbacks very often, but the ones they do end up successful to some degree.
Joe Burrow is self-explanatory. Andy Dalton was one of the most productive non-first round QBs drafted in recent memory. Carson Palmer's peak made him the highest-paid passer in the NFL at one point.
A.J. McCarron was never drafted to start for the Bengals, or any NFL team, but he's making his mark in professional football nonetheless.
As the quarterback for the XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks, McCarron is putting together an incredible 2023 season. He put up an incredulous statline in the team's latest victory Saturday afternoon, throwing for over 400 yards and six touchdowns against the Orlando Guardians.
St Louis' 53 points in the win is the most points scored by a single team in the XFL this season, and McCarron's arm was responsible for 36 of them. The win moves the Battlehawks to 7-3 on the season.
McCarron, a fifth-round draft pick of the Bengals back in 2014, was brought in by Cincinnati to back up Dalton. He ended up appearing in 11 games for Cincinnati, including the team's infamous 18-16 playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2015-16 NFL playoffs.
For his NFL career, McCarron threw for 1,385 yards, seven touchdowns, and four interceptions including that postseason appearance. In just 10 games with the Battlehawks, McCarron has nearly twice as many passing yards and 30 touchdowns through the air.
It just so turns out that the Bengals are looking for a backup quarterback. They were reportedly in on Cooper Rush, and brought in Trevor Siemian for a visit not too long ago. They've also been in contact with a couple NFL Draft quarterbacks this offseason.
McCarron has been out of Cincinnati for six years, but he clearly still has some ability left in the tank. XFL production aside, he's creating a decent resume to get back into the NFL if he so desires.
