Houston Roughnecks Re-Sign Standout QB Jalan McClendon

The Houston Roughnecks have re-signed quarterback Jalan McClendon for the upcoming 2026 season, as confirmed by a league source to Pro Football Newsroom. This move comes after McClendon established himself as the team's starting quarterback during the 2025 UFL season.

McClendon, who entered the 2025 season as the third-string quarterback, took over the starting role for the Roughnecks in Week 4 due to an injury to Nolan Henderson and the benching of Anthony Brown. He maintained the starting position for the remainder of the season, throwing for 1,469 yards and 6 touchdowns.

McClendon has a journeyman career in spring football leagues. He previously played for the LA Wildcats in 2020 and the XFL's Vegas Vipers in 2023. With the Vipers, he began as the third-string quarterback but became the starter late in the season after Luis Perez departed, throwing for 873 yards and 5 touchdowns while adding 137 rushing yards.

During the 2024 USFL-XFL Dispersal Draft, McClendon was selected by the DC Defenders. He spent the 2024 UFL season primarily as a backup (QB2/QB3), seeing limited late-season action, before being traded to the Houston Roughnecks in the offseason in exchange for cornerback Kiondre Thomas.