The NFL saw Lamar Jackson finally signing a renewed contract with the Baltimore Ravens recently. It brought an end to a long-standing stalemate between the Ravens and their QB with a 5-year $260 million deal in place. But amidst Jackson becoming the highest-paid player in the NFL for now, there is another NFL star who shifted to the XFL for another chance at a career not on the sidelines, but on the field. 

This former NFL QB has been crowned the league MVP in XFL. But he will be earnings will be not the same as what he could have earned in the NFL. In fact, he is going to take a 98% salary cut, just for the opportunity to be out there playing in the field. 

AJ McCarron massive pay cut in salary in the XFL despite becoming MVP

AJ McCarron was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals as a fifth-round pick in the 2014 draft. He then went on to play eight seasons in the league, primarily as a backup QB. His last season in the NFL was with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021, before missing out on the 2022 season with a torn ACL injury. After shifting to the XFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks, the QB is now crowned as the MVP for the season with his stunning statistics.

In his debut season with the Battlehawks, McCarron has 2,150 passing yards, while his 24 passing touchdowns have set the XFL record for a single season. The previous record was held by Tommy Maddox in 2001 during his time with the LA Extreme.

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While he might be a starting QB in the XFL unlike his NFL career, the salary won’t be the same. AJ McCarron will be earning quite low compared to what he earned and could have earned in the National League.

Money won’t be the same for McCarron in the XFL

During his career in the NFL, the QB amassed around $16.5 million in total. His last contract with the Falcons led to an earning of $4 million in his last season. Now, in the XFL, the QB will be making about $60,000 per season, with $5,000 per week as salary and a bonus of $1,000 on each win. But McCarron is happy with his choices. Because according to him, at least his kids get to see him playing on the field every time rather than sitting on the sidelines in the big league. And one can understand the sentiment behind the decision, as it means that the QB will have more time in the field in action.

As the season continues, fans will now expect great things in the XFL from this QB. who has made a statement in his debut season.

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