Quarterback AJ McCarron, Cincinnati Bengals (Bengals.com)
The NFL regular season has concluded and for many former XFL 2020 and 2023 players, their minds are focused on getting ready to make the team in 2024. The “league of opportunity” saw many follow that very mantra in 2023, turning their XFL performances into NFL tryouts and contracts. Thirty-five graduates of the XFL – both versions – ended the season with NFL teams. Those are numbers that will increase in 2024 after a season of the United Football League.
Throughout the last several months, I’ve put out weekly columns chronicling the performances of these players. This is the first part of my summation of their seasons – the fourth year I’ve done this analysis (links to last year’s two parts can be found here.) This part will look at players from AFC non-playoff teams. Thanks to Pro Football Focus for the data, and to Over the Cap for salary cap and contract information.
WR Michael Bandy, Denver Broncos (Houston Roughnecks)
In 2023: Every year, there are a few players who dance on and off practice squads seemingly weekly. In 2023, Bandy was one of those players. He was signed and released five times by the Broncos before finally getting promoted to the active roster late in the season. This after he caught five passes in two games for the Roughencks in the spring.
What PFF tells us: Bandy played two offensive snaps in week 17, one out wide and one in the slot. He also played eight special teams snaps, four on the kick return team and four on the punt return team. His offensive grade was a 55.8, in line with his grade in the two years prior, both in the low 50s.
2024 outlook: Bandy is signed through 2024, but as a deep reserve, it’s hard to see him making the team next year. In fact, with the influx of free agents and rookies that will likely be sought to upgrade the position, Bandy may have difficulty making it to training camp.
QB Ben DiNucci, Denver Broncos (Seattle Sea Dragons)
In 2023: After leading the Sea Dragons to a playoff berth in the XFL, DiNucci was one of the few quarterbacks from the league to get a legitimate look in the NFL. He impressed in the preseason enough to win Denver’s #3 QB job, which was good for a season-long practice squad berth. He was a gameday elevation three times (a reward for spurning an offer to join the active roster of the New Orleans Saints early in the season), but saw no game action.
2024 outlook: Russell Wilson’s time in Denver seems to be up, which means the team will have a new starting QB next year. When Sean Payton was hired as head coach, he brought backup Jarrett Stidham to the Mile High City, indicating his position is likely safe. DiNucci may battle for the number three job once again.
DT Bruce Hector, New York Jets (Arlington Renegades)
In 2023: Arlington rode QB Luis Perez and a strong defense to the XFL Championship, and Hector was a key cog along the team’s defensive line. He signed with the Jets for training camp and made an impact during the preseason. It earned him multiple practice squad opportunities with both the Jets and Houston Texans before finally signing to the active roster of the Jets prior to the final week of the season.
What PFF tells us: Hector played in two games, one of them being a gameday elevation in week 17. His grade was a 61.3 across 37 total defensive snaps. PFF credits him with four tackles, all considered defensive stops (defined as a tackle in which a play was a “failure” for the offense). Of the four categories graded, Hector scored highest in his tackling, with a 70.3.
2024 outlook: The Jets are scheduled to have three interior defenders hit free agency in March, leaving potential openings for Hector. However, age is working against him as he’ll turn 30 during the next NFL season, on the older side for a journeyman who has yet to make a significant contribution. It could mean his time is running short to make a statement in the league. 2024 may be one of his final chances to do so.
QB AJ McCarron, Cincinnati Bengals (St. Louis Battlehawks)
In 2023: McCarron was famously said to have turned down NFL overtures to play full-time in the XFL in 2023. He turned out to be a great ambassador – and player – for the Battlehawks. McCarron bided his time in finding the right NFL fit, eventually signing to the practice squad of the Bengals in late September following an injury to starter Joe Burrow. In December, McCarron was promoted to the active roster, where he was the backup to starter Jake Browning.
What PFF tells us:Playing in two games, McCarron accumulated a total of just 17 snaps. His grade was 59.0, though with so few snaps, a PFF grade won’t tell us a whole lot. McCarron went 4-of-5 passing for 19 yards. Four of his pass attempts were thrown to receivers behind the line of scrimmage.
2024 outlook: McCarron will be an unrestricted free agent when the market opens on March 13. For those holding out hope McCarron returns to St. Louis with the Battlehawks, that would give him just a little over two weeks of practice until the first game of the UFL season. Does St. Louis take that risk? At 33 years old, does McCarron still harbor NFL dreams, even if it means carrying a clipboard? Will he spurn the NFL for spring football twice? The eyes of alternative football fans will be on McCarron and the decision he makes in a few months.
TE Donald Parham, Los Angeles Chargers (Dallas Renegades)
In 2023: It was a tale of two seasons for Parham. For much of it, he started in two tight end sets and rivaled first-stringer Gerald Everett for playing time and targets. That changed after his shoulder injury and the Chargers’ head coaching change. He was a healthy inactive for weeks 16 and 17 before breaking out with his best performance of the year in week 18. In his fourth NFL season, Parham set career highs in receptions (27), receiving yards (285) and touchdowns (four).
What PFF tells us: Even with career highs in counting stats, Parham set a career-low with an overall PFF grade of 59.7 (60.0 is deemed “average”). By position, Parham played 66% of his snaps in the traditional in-line TE spot. Only 24% of his snaps came from the slot, while 10% came with him split out wide. His strength was his pass blocking, where he scored a 78.3 and did not allow a sack all season. Seventeen of his receptions came from 0-9 yards past the line of scrimmage, while only one reception came on a route deeper than 20 yards.
2024 outlook: Parham is under contract with the Chargers for one more season. In 2025, he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Starter Gerald Everett is a UFA this year. By the time free agency rolls around, the Chargers will have a new head coach and a new general manager. Therefore, the decisions about what to do at the position – re-sign Everett, replace him with another starter or let Parham take over as the main target – will be made by folks not currently a part of the team.
RB Jacques Patrick, New York Jets (San Antonio Brahmas)
In 2023: Patrick shined when taking over the starter’s role for a Brahmas team that struggled offensively. For parts of the season, he WAS the offense. That work was recognized when he was signed by the Denver Broncos in May. He didn’t last long and was released a few weeks later. He hooked up with the Tennessee Titans late in camp, showing enough to earn a practice squad spot. That lasted until he was let go in October. The Jets signed him in late December, then signed him to a futures deal after the season.
2024 outlook: The Jets have three young, talented running backs in 2022 second-round pick Breece Hall and 2023 rookies Israel Abanikanda and Xazavian Valladay. The best case scenario is that the Jets don’t add anyone of significance to the position in the offseason and Patrick is able to push Valladay, an undrafted free-agent, for a roster spot. Both seem unlikely at this point, but Patrick shouldn’t be counted out.
In 2023: Plitt was one of three former XFL quarterbacks who found their way to Cincinnati during the regular season. A knee injury sidelined Plitt with the Renegades after he started three games, ushering in the Luis Perez era. Plitt signed to Cincinnati’s practice squad in November after Burrow’s season-ending injury. He served as the third quarterback the rest of the way, though he was never a gameday elevation. His experience in Cincinnati’s system (he was in their training camp in 2022) made him a sensible choice for the role despite his less-than-stellar XFL stats.
2024 outlook: Plitt has yet to be signed to a futures deal, and it would be surprising if he does. His time with the Bengals this year may keep him on the radar of NFL teams – and who knows, he may be called upon at some point in Cincinnati if injuries strike yet again – but another stint in a spring league may be in his future. It just probably won’t be back in Arlington.
RB Austin Walter, Las Vegas Raiders (Dallas Renegades)
In 2023: Walter spent 2022 on Las Vegas’s practice squad and came into 2023 ready to compete for a roster spot. Those hopes were dashed quickly when he was placed on season-ending injured reserve in early August.
2024 outlook: Walter is a restricted free agent, meaning the Raiders can tender him a contract that another team can match. If the Raiders don’t tender Walter, he becomes a free agent free to sign anywhere. That seems the be the most likely scenario. The Raiders chose to keep Walter on IR all year rather than release him with an injury settlement, which could indicate management wanted to keep him around for the future. The problem is, management that made that decision is no longer around: Vegas is in search of a new head coach and general manager. They’ll make the ultimate decision on Walter’s future in Las Vegas.
