XFL Picks Up Former Steelers Player Landry Jones As First Player In League

Former Pittsburgh Steelers backup quarterback #LandryJones has become the first player to sign with the XFL.

The XFL, a planned professional American football league, owned by Vince McMahon’s Alpha Entertainment, has selected Jones as its first player to sign with the upstart league. Jones is reportedly expected to be a starting quarterback. For now, he is not attached to any team.

“I’m looking forward to joining the XFL and playing the game I love,” Jones said. “I can’t wait to suit up.” XFL Commissioner and CEO Oliver Luck said, “We’re excited to welcome Landry to the XFL as our first player and first quarterback. He’s an accomplished athlete with outstanding college credentials and pro experience, and his heart and desire to play football epitomizes the type of individual we want in the XFL.”

The league has plans to sign seven more quarterbacks before its draft in October. The league’s eight head coach/general managers will choose their quarterback before the draft,” according to Yahoo Sports.  Jones was the 115th pick in the 2013 NFL draft, out of Oklahoma. He started five games for the Steelers over the 2015-17 seasons, and the team was 3-2 in those games. Jones completed 63.9 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions with Pittsburgh.