The XFL assigned one quarterback to each of its eight teams. The league made the announcement Tuesday ahead of its XFL Draft. The DC Defenders were assigned former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones.
Jones spent three seasons in the NFL mostly as a backup quarterback. He was originally a fourth-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2016.
Jones came into the NFL with just eight starts at Ohio State. After one season with the Bills, he was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers. He backed up Philip Rivers in 2017 but was waived during final cuts before the 2018 season and then signed to the practice squad.
He was released by the Chargers in final cuts before the 2019 season. He was signed to the Seattle Seahawks practice squad but was released shortly.
Much like many of the XFL players, Jones will get an opportunity to develop and hone his skills and improve on his weaknesses. Accuracy issues have been at the forefront since his days at Ohio State. He has great size and a strong arm, but that alone has not gotten him far in the NFL.
Howard alum and former Bison quarterback Pep Hamilton will get the chance to coach Jones as a starter. Hamilton is has a reputation of being a solid quarterback developer with over 12 years of NFL coaching experience. Jones can benefit from his coaching in hopes of winning games with the Defenders and potentially wooing over NFL scouts.
