End of an era in St. Louis: Battlehawks release QB A.J. McCarron

On Friday, the St. Louis Battlehawks and head coach Anthony Becht announced the team would part ways with QB A.J. McCarron. Because McCarron has not re-signed with the league for 2025 and is therefore not under contract, the more accurate description would be that the Battlehawks relinquished his rights, allowing him to sign with another UFL team if he so desired.

A post on McCarron’s personal Instagram page indicated he was surprised by the announcement. McCarron, 34, vowed to speak more on the topic, and address his football future, on Monday. The Battlehawks currently do not have any quarterbacks on their off-season roster.

A fifth round NFL draft pick by the Cincinnati Bengals out of Alabama, where he was a three-time National Champion, McCarron spent his first four pro seasons in Cincinnati. He became a journeyman backup after that, before finding his way to the third iteration of the XFL in 2023.

He became one of the best quarterbacks in the league and a recognizable name the XFL could build around. McCarron’s play earned him another shot in the NFL with the Bengals, where he spent most of the 2023 season. He was released in February so that he could rejoin the Battlehawks, now in the United Football League.

After barely missing the playoffs in 2023, McCarron led the Battlehawks to the post-season in 2024, and was again one of the top passers in the league. His status for 2025 was up in the air at the time of his release, as he had not publicly committed to either play another year, or walk away.

In speaking with St. Louis media, Becht indicated the team was ready to move in a different direction at the position. He noted the expectation was only to get one season from McCarron, and they ended up getting two. Becht also wanted to do right by McCarron, releasing him in case McCarron wanted to continue playing.