A.J. McCarron’s NFL days are over again — at his request.
The Bengals announced they released their backup quarterback on Thursday, with multiple reports saying the 33-year-old requested the move and plans to sign with the UFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks.
McCarron played for the Battlehawks last season in the XFL — with the league merging with the USFL to form the UFL this winter.
McCarron balled out in St. Louis last season, throwing for 2,150 yards, 24 touchdowns, and only six interceptions en route to winning the league’s MVP.
The Bengals signed him after star quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a season-ending wrist injury.
In two games with the Bengals in 2023, McCarron completed four passes for 19 yards.
The veteran quarterback said last year that he chose to play in the XFL to get more meaningful playing time and to create memories for his children, which he shares with wife, model Katherine Webb.
More notably, he played four years at Alabama from 2010-2013, completing 66.9% of his passes for 9,019 yards, 77 touchdowns, and only 15 interceptions.
He was a member of the 2011 and 2012 national championship teams.
The UFL’s inaugural season begins on Mar. 30 and will last until June 2 — leaving McCarron plenty of time to consider joining an NFL team if the option strikes him.