Quarterback Jalen Morton signs with the UFL

Jalen Morton has made a real case to be considered the Offensive Player of the Year in his first season of arena football. After 8 games, he leads the league in passing yards, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. As it stands, Morton has compiled 1,640 yards and 33 touchdowns—an impressive start to a promising season. However, before he could lead his team into the playoffs, he was called up by a team he once won a USFL Championship with in 2023, the Birmingham Stallions. 

Stay Ready so You Don't Have to Get Ready

Jalen Morton has led the Storm to a 5-3 record, displaying toughness, leadership, and selflessness. He has earned the respect of coaches and teammates alike, and now he will serve as another example of how important it is to stay ready so you don't have to get ready. Rather than sitting out another season following a year away from football, he saw an opportunity to get back on the field and play significant snaps for the Storm in 2025 and seized it. 

Jalen Morton Speaks on Team Goals vs Personal Achievements 

Many players turn their noses up at arena football only to later have to circle back to coaches later on hoping they have forgiven them for passing on the opportunity. Morton, to his credit, did not shy away and instead jumped in with both feet. This has seemingly paid off as Morton was placed on the Other League Exempt list, and is expected to re-sign with the Birmingham Stallions, a team he had won a USFL championship with in 2023. 

When he initially joined the Stallions, they had Alex McGough and J'Mar Smith atop their depth chart, and an injury to Smith led to the Stallions bringing in former New Orleans Breaker/Arlington Renegade Kyle Sloter as a depth piece. After the 2024 season, the USFL and XFL announced that the two leagues would merge. 

The USFL and XFL merger changed the status for a lot of players, and Morton fell into this category. When 16 teams became 8, it muddied the waters for players who had not yet been given a chance to prove themselves with in-game reps. Teams became veritable super teams built from the most experienced and talented players, with many coaches opting to stack their quarterback rooms with starting experience. 

UFL Merger Saturates the Talent Pool 

Coming out of the 2024 dispersal draft, Morton had been selected by the Stallions, but things had changed. The Stallions had lost Alex McGough to the NFL, and sought out not one but two quarterbacks that had previously been on NFL rosters: former 3rd round pick Matt Corral, and undrafted free agent Adrian Martinez. J'Mar Smith had gotten healthy, and the Stallions had a competition on their hands to see which three players would remain. 

Ultimately, Morton was released in mid-March, right before the season began, leaving Corral, Martinez, and Smith. He would wait out an opportunity until the Storm came looking for a potential starting quarterback in early 2025. Now, just 8 games into his AF1 career, he is back with the Stallions and assigned to the active roster. It appears he will be wearing #24. With the Storm on a bye week, you can tune in and support your former quarterback on ABC at 11 am Central time. 

Develop and Elevate

The Storm has managed to turn itself into a launching pad for players to jump back to the outdoor game at the highest levels. Since Coach Thomas and his staff took over, 10 players have been offered contracts or workouts with NFL, CFL, UFL, X-League, or LFA teams. Nine of those players went on to sign a contract. At least three of those players received interest from multiple teams. While it is never easy to replace a quarterback who has played to this level, the Storm happened to get lucky with Morton choosing to leave almost immediately after their 8th game, right before a bye week. 

The timing could not have been better for the Storm in this sense, giving them their bye week to search for the next signalcaller to pilot what has amounted to a high-flying offense. Currently, back-up quarterback Jairus Grissom is the only other player on the roster at the position, it is expected the Storm will sign another quarterback before next week. Grissom is an ultra-athletic jack-of-all-trades who has filled in all over the field for the Storm. He has lined up as a linebacker, quarterback, kick returner, and played on kick coverage teams as well. '

According to theAF1.com, Grissom currently has completed both his passing attempts for 9 yards, run 6 times for 32 yards and 1 touchdown, made 7 tackles, and returned 3 kicks for 46 yards. Grissom will have an opportunity to prove he belongs as the starter prior to the Storm's rematch with the Billings Outlaws, who also now have a new quarterback in tow, in Malik Henry. 

The big question now is, which free agents are out there that can come in, pick up an offense fast, and either fill in for Grissom in his slash role, or beat him out as the next starter? If you happen to be a dual-threat free agent quarterback who thinks you can compete in the AF1 at a high level, now might be your time to get a chance. Submit your contact information, measurables, and film to the team today to be evaluated. If there is one thing that should help attract the next quarterback they sign, it is the fact they have now watched their last two starters find interest outdoors.

Players Who Have Joined Outdoor Teams

QB Jalen Morton - UFL, Birmingham Stallions

C/G Desmond Bland - NFL, New Orleans Saints 

WR/RB Kevon Latulas - UFL, St. Louis Battlehawks 

RB Jeremy Cox - UFL, Arlington Renegades

DE Marquise Lawson-Greenwood - UFL, Arlington Renegades/CFL, Winnipeg Blue Bombers 

LB/FB Vince DiLeo - UFL, Arlington Renegades

DE/LB Jyaire Stevens - CFL, Hamilton Tiger-Cats 

QB Matt Struck - X-League, Obic Seagulls 

DB Brian Hughes - CFL Workout/LFA, Monterrey Osos 

If you would like to learn more about Jalen Morton and his journey to this point check out the interview below:

https://www.youtube.com/live/T3lTlHYsouM?si=5VfjwtMVdPADFGky