AJ McCarron will coach Rhode Island’s new United Football League team, the league announced Wednesday, and the entire 2026 Birmingham Stallions roster moves with him.
McCarron coached Birmingham last season, his first as a head coach. He won three national championships as a quarterback at Alabama, was a fifth-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2014 and spent eight seasons in the NFL with the Bengals, Bills, Raiders, Texans and Falcons. He later became one of the UFL’s most productive quarterbacks with the St. Louis Battlehawks, leading the league in passing touchdowns, completion percentage and passer rating in 2023.
“New England fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of sports, and that passion is something I’m really excited to experience firsthand,” McCarron said. “Rhode Island has a proud sports culture and a fan base that appreciates teams that give everything they have every time they step on the field.”
The team’s name, colors and logo will be revealed Sunday, Oct. 18, at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket. The event is open to the public, and season ticket deposits for 2027 will be available.
The league is carrying rosters forward with coaches as it reorganizes for expansion. Rick Neuheisel takes the 2026 Dallas Renegades roster to a new Colorado franchise, and Kevin Sumlin takes the Houston Gamblers roster to Dallas.
The UFL will field eight teams in 2027: Rhode Island, Colorado, the Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm and St. Louis Battlehawks. Oklahoma and Utah join in 2028.
