Could AJ McCarron Finish His Career in the XFL?
*This article was originally written the week of March 25.
by Pat Rifino
Is it outrageous to think that AJ McCarron doesn’t return to the NFL? As we sit here going into week 6 of the 2023 XFL season it appears that McCarron has become a cult hero of the third iteration of the league. McCarron who is an eight-year veteran of the NFL, saw his career almost end prematurely in 2021 from a torn ACL in a preseason game with the Atlanta Falcons. Despite several NFL workouts with the possibility of an NFL contract as a backup, McCarron opted to join the XFL, which to me bodes the question could AJ stay with the XFL for the long haul?
McCarron has been very vocal about playing in the XFL. It started with his kids watching his highlights on their tablets, which reignited the spark in the former Alabama signal caller. McCarron’s children were extremely instrumental in his return to the gridiron. The story has been highlighted multiple times with even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson tweeting about it, and a quote from AJ stating his son came to him and said, “I want to watch you play again”. With McCarron’s family being utilized as motivation, he’s essentially become the face of the 2023 XFL.
While McCarron’s family has served as its own storyline, his play has matched his legend. From two weeks of dynamic come-from-behind victories to a week 3 shootout versus the Defenders, McCarron has been everything the 2020 version of the league hoped they’d get from Quarterback Landry Jones. McCarron has been easily a Top-3 QB in the XFL and has garnered MVP talks from multiple media outlets ranging from XFL News Hub to ESPN.
For McCarron, he’s on pace to throw for 2,098 Yards and 23 Touchdowns during the XFL’s 10-game season. A stat line like that will obviously garner NFL interest as usual, around four alt-football QBs earn an NFL opportunity at the conclusion of each season (AAF 7, XFL 2.0 4, TSL 3, USFL 4). With McCarron’s projected success for the final seven games of the season, is it outlandish to think McCarron could stay?
McCarron is 32 years old and will be 33 at the end of NFL training camp. He’s earned over 15 Million dollars in his NFL career and probably a couple more from investments and endorsements over his career. AJ has been on the record saying financially he’s not chasing the money anymore, and it’s all about playing football for his kids. With player safety at an optimal position, and AJ still in shape, maybe he opts to finish out his career with the St. Louis Battlehawks on the field rather than holding a clipboard for the Arizona Cardinals.
The average XFL player is making around 60K during the 2023 season, per sources McCarron is making a bit more than that. With his financial situation seemingly settled, McCarron may utilize the XFL to solidify his legacy. As stated at 33 years old, it’s more likely that McCarron's window as a starting QB in the NFL is very limited and a lot would have to go wrong for him to take snaps. But in the XFL, McCarron has the ability to become the star and face of the league.
For McCarron, the apparel of holding a clipboard on an NFL sideline may be fiscally intriguing, but McCarron is proving he’s a bit more than that. If he’s able to take St. Louis to the XFL championship and continue to grow his legend, for him to stay around another 3-4 years with St. Louis and then retire could do wonders for his brand. Especially if he turns down NFL offers.
As the league grows, more money will come in and with that McCarron is primed to see an increase in his paycheck as well. With exceptional QB play led by McCarron, the future for the XFL seems extremely bright, and the league’s potential looks promising moving into 2024 and beyond. With McCarron’s proven leadership, great back story, entertaining sound bites, and most importantly his above-average QB play, it’ll be wise for the XFL to make it an extremely high priority to lock in McCarron, in an effort to retain fans for the 2023 season and market the league for the several years moving.
