After workouts with the Jets and Seahawks this week, QB Adrian Martinez has signed with the New York Jets. Martinez led the Birmingham Stallions to their third straight Championship victory this season, in his first campaign with the team.
We’ve signed QB Adrian Martinez and CB Kendall Sheffield.
We’ve released CB Nehemiah Shelton and QB Ben Bryant.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 27, 2024
To many, this news is not a surprise at all. Adrian Martinez was the UFL’s MVP in their inaugural season, leading the Stallions to a 9-1 record in 2024 – and another Championship title.
To begin the UFL season, Martinez split time with Matt Corral. After the first few weeks, HC Skip Holtz ultimately decided to stick Adrian into the starting role full-time, and he excelled. His dual threat capabilities made it nearly impossible for any team to slow down Birmingham’s offense, at least until the end of the year.
Adrian Martinez is UNREAL.
He’s got over 300 yards and 3 TD’s and we’re still in the third quarter.
Drops a 79 yard dime to Kevin Austin for another score. @USFLStallions rolling. #UFL pic.twitter.com/BuKoaW3oTh
— James Larsen (@JamesLarsenPFN) May 4, 2024
Martinez burst onto the scene in week three, specifically, when he was given the chance to start. He lit up the stat sheets against Memphis, totaling almost 400 yards of offense, ripping through the Showboats defense on every single drive.
Adrian ended up finishing the UFL’s season with 1,741 passing yards and 15 touchdowns, throwing just three interceptions. Martinez also led the UFL in rushing, with 528 yards. He averaged 9.8 YPC, and scored three rushing touchdowns.
Adrian Martinez pulled a disappearing act on this scramble 🔥🤯@USFLStallions pic.twitter.com/V59WnBp56e
— United Football League (@TheUFL) April 14, 2024
While he was benched in the USFL Conference title game, Adrian came back the next week in the UFL Championship – and played quite well in the win….