When the St. Louis BattleHawks drafted Raymond Anthony “A. J.” McCarron Jr. on November 15, 2022, they landed a seasoned quarterback with a rich football history. The former Alabama star and eight-season NFL player quickly became a breakout star in the XFL, leading the BattleHawks to consecutive comeback victories in the first two weeks of the 2023 season.
Born on September 13, 1990, in Mobile, Alabama, McCarron overcame a near-fatal jet-ski accident at the age of five to become a highly sought-after college football recruit. He attended the University of Alabama, where he became the first quarterback to win consecutive BCS National Championship Games in 2012 and 2013. His collegiate accolades also include receiving the Maxwell, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Kellen Moore Awards.
McCarron was selected in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He spent four seasons as a backup with the Bengals, followed by stints with the Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons. After suffering a torn ACL during the 2021 preseason with the Falcons, McCarron joined the XFL.
Throughout his college and NFL career, McCarron has been praised for his game management and decision-making skills. His choice to play in the XFL rather than take a more lucrative position as an NFL backup reflects his desire for more on-field playing time. In a postgame interview, McCarron stated that he wanted his children to be able to watch him play, a sentiment that garnered praise from XFL co-owner Dwayne Johnson.
In just nine games with the St. Louis BattleHawks, McCarron has completed 183 of 272 passes, with a completion percentage of 67.3%. He has thrown for 1,821 yards and 18 touchdowns, with only six interceptions. Additionally, he has rushed for 90 yards on 25 carries, scoring one rushing touchdown.
AJ McCarron XFL Salary
It is unknown how much XFL QB’s or AJ McCarron makes playing in the XFL. All other XFL position players make a weekly salary of around $5,000.
As McCarron continues to excel in the XFL, he is proving that his decision to join the league was right. The St. Louis BattleHawks have gained a talented and experienced leader in A.J. McCarron, who is poised to make an even more significant impact on the team and the league.
