Former Alabama National Champion Returning to the NFL

AJ McCarron is a two-time national champion, leading the Crimson Tide to back-to-back national titles over LSU and Notre Dame. He was drafted by the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 and is expected to return to where his pro career started soon.

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He last saw action on an NFL field in 2021 in a preseason game with the Atlanta Falcons. He tore his ACL and was done for the season. But McCarron's playing days were not over by any stretch.

McCarron joined the newest incarnation of the XFL, owned by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale and signed with the St. Louis BattleHawks for the 2022 XFL season.

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AJ played the season with the St. Louis, throwing for over 2100 yards with 24 touchdowns. He led the league in completions, efficiency and touchdown passes.

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However, AJ’s days in the XFL are over for now as he's been re-signed to the NFL team that originally drafted him in 2014, the Cincinnati Bengals. The Rock took to his X account Saturday with his excitement about the announcement.

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AJ signed with the Bengals practice team and may see playing time since Joe Burrow's status is questionable. The Bengals face off with the LA Rams in primetime tonight on Monday Night Football.

Iconic Photos From Alabama's 18 National Championships

Claimed or recognized, no FBS football program has more national championships than the Tide. Look back on all 18 titles in Alabama history with these photos.