Six former Cincinnati Bengals players that are set to kickoff the inaugural UFL season

Tomorrow afternoon will begin the UFL's inaugural season as the lone alternative to the NFL for American professional football.

The United Football League is a merger between the XFL and USFL. That means players from both previous leagues will now coexist in one league comprised of eight teams. And there are several former Cincinnati Bengals players looking to stand out. 

Before the action begins this weekend, here's a refresher on what team every former Bengals player is on.

Will Clarke

Team: Arlington Renegades
Position: Edge defender

Clarke was the Bengals' third-round draft pick all the way back in 2014. He fit the physical mold of the edges that came before him in Michael Johnson and Carlos Dunlap, but he wasn't nearly as dynamic of an athlete and never became more than a rotational piece. 

Lamont Gaillard

Team: DC Defenders
Position: Center

The Bengals claimed Gaillard right before training camp in 2021 and had him on the practice squad for the entire season. He signed a futures contract in 2022 and spent the offseason in Cincinnati before being waived with an injury settlement right before the 2022 season.

Reid Sinnett  

Team: Houston Roughnecks
Position: Quarterback

The Bengals signed Sinnett days after Joe Burrow originally strained his calf last training camp. He lasted with the team up until final cuts and came back on the practice squad during the season as well, only to be released about week later. 

Noah Dawkins

Team: Michigan Panthers
Position: Linebacker

Dawkins was an undrafted free agent signing by the Bengals back in 2019. He was released by the club later in the season.

Darius Phillips 

Team: San Antonio Brahmas
Position: Cornerback

Phillips was one of the last draft picks made by the Marvin Lewis-led Bengals. He was taken in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and lasted the duration of his rookie contract through the 2021 season. In his final season with the team, he was demoted from his role as punt returner, and left in free agency the following offseason.

AJ McCarron

Team: St. Louis Battlehawks
Position: Quarterback

Finally, there's the reigning XFL MVP and former fifth round pick of the Bengals back in 2014. McCarron was Cincinnati's backup QB for three years and even started a playoff game in Cincinnati. He had a spectacular season for the Battlehawks in 2023, and eventually found his way back to the Bengals later in the year. In February, he asked for his release from Cincinnati so he could re-sign with St. Louis.