The XFL is making their first marquee signing, as the startup spring football league has signed quarterback Landry Jones, per Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com. Jones starred at Oklahoma and spent a handful of years with the Pittsburgh Steelers as Ben Roethlisberger's backup.

Signing Jones is big news for the league, as he's already more accomplished than just about any quarterback that played in the now-defunct Alliance of American Football.

“We’re excited to welcome Landry to the XFL as our first player and first quarterback,” XFL Commissioner Oliver Luck said. “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.”

Jones was with the Steelers from 2013-2017, before they decided they wanted to upgrade behind Roethlisberger. After the team drafted Mason Rudolph in the third round last year, Jones was the odd man out. After spending 2018 out of football, Jones signed with the Raiders in March.

He didn't last long in Oakland, as Jon Gruden cut him after just a couple of months. Jones has started five games in his NFL career, and he's held his own for the most part. For his career he has completed 108 of 169 passes for 1,310 yards, eight touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Per Williams:

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
Dwayne Johonson USFL XFL

Nayan Brahmbhatt ·

“The XFL will sign seven other quarterbacks before its inaugural player draft in October and each team’s head coach will select his quarterback before the draft.”

The AAF went up in flames, but the XFL has several advantages that it didn't. XFL founder Vince McMahon has very deep pockets, and seems committed to the league.

It'll be very interesting to see how it fares.