A.J. McCarron drops out of Lt. Governor's race

December 18, 2025 – MONTGOMERY – former University of Alabama and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron announced that he is ending his campaign to be Alabama's next Lieutenant Governor.

McCarron has left the race to pursue a position as the Coach of the Birmingham Stallions – the only professional football franchise in the state.

McCarron led the Alabama Crimson Tide to back-to-back national titles during his college days. He played for the Cincinnati Bengals primarily as a backup before bouncing around the NFL. His last football was for the St. Louis Battlehawks.

He replaces Skip Holtz who won two championships in his three years with the team.

McCarron was born and raised in Alabama, He was signed in the Crimson Tide's 2009 recruiting class. He redshirted his first season in Tuscaloosa and saw limited action the following year as a backup. To national champion Greg MecElroy. In 2011, McCarron became the starter.

McCarron guided the Crimson Tide to an 11 and 1 regular-season record, with their only loss coming against top-ranked LSU. That team won the BCS National Championship as Alabama defeated LSU in the rematch.

McCarron went 11 and 1 the next season and returned to the BCS National Championship game defeating number one ranked Notre Dame.

McCarron's best season was his senior year in which he threw for a school-record 3,063 yards and finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.

McCarron was a fifth round selection for the Bengals where he backed up Andy Dalton.

McCarron threw for 1,192 yards and six touchdowns in seven NFL seasons with the Bengals and Texans.

In 2022, McCarron transitioned to spring football, joining the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL. He finished the season with a league-record 24 passing touchdowns. McCarron returned to the Battlehawks in 2024 but suffered a severe injury in week 7. He battled back to return for the XFL championship game where he lost to Birmingham. He retired from football after the season.

Some polling had McCarron performing well in the crowded GOP field for Lieutenant Governor; however McCarron's experience and expertise are all in the world of football and that is the area at which he returns.

Secretary of State Wes Allen, Army Major (ret) Patrick Bishop, Ag Commissioner Rick Pate, Economic Developer and realtor Nicole jones Wadsworth, and George Childress are all running in the Republican Primary for Lt. Governor.

State Rep. Phillip Ensler (Montgomery) is running as a Democrat.

The Republican and Democratic primaries are on May 10.

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