Dissecting the UFL QB Future
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2025 UFL Quarterback Room Review & 2026 Outlook
The UFL regular season has officially come to a close, marking the seventh consecutive year of spring football and continued momentum for the league. Several franchises are now entering their fourth straight year of continuity, a rare and welcome development in spring football history.
With the playoffs set to kick off this weekend, the rest of the league has already shifted focus to the offseason. That means front offices, media, and fans are diving into one of the most over-analyzed aspects of any football team: the quarterback room.
St. Louis Battlehawks
QB Room: Max Duggan, Brandon Silvers, Chevan Cordeiro, Manny Wilkins (IR)
Released: Trae Self (Injury Replacement)
The Battlehawks started the season strong under Manny Wilkins before an Achilles injury in Week 4 derailed his season and potentially his career. Max Duggan then stepped in and led St. Louis to a 5-0 run using his legs, with Brandon Silvers closing the regular season with a gritty “mud-bowl” win in Week 10. The team finished 6-0 with backup QBs and captured their second straight XFL Conference Title.
Heading into 2026, the Battlehawks face a quarterback conundrum. Silvers is the best pure passer, but Duggan and Wilkins bring unmatched athleticism. Then there’s Chevan Cordeiro, a high-upside first-round pick with a largely unknown ceiling. Given the Packers- and Rams-inspired offensive system, St. Louis may prefer a Silvers-type QB. However, Duggan’s late-season surge could make him worth another year of investment especially if NFL teams want to see continued development.
Wilkins, approaching his age 30 and coming off a severe injury, may either retire or be released. If Duggan doesn't earn an NFL deal, St. Louis should consider retaining Duggan, Silvers, and Cordeiro. That trio blends youth, experience, and upside. Trae Self could return if needed, or an NFL vet may be added should Silvers “retire”.
Memphis Showboats
QB Room: Dresser Winn, Troy Williams, E.J. Perry
Released: Quinten Dormady (Preseason)
Memphis never found its footing in 2025. Preseason turmoil surrounding Quinten Dormady, the resignation of Ken Whisenhunt, and the late hiring of Noel Mazzone all led to instability. While Dresser Winn showed promise, neither Troy Williams nor E.J. Perry delivered results. Memphis has had a different starting QB in each of the last four seasons and four different head coaches to match.
The Showboats need a full reset, starting at quarterback. With Jim Turner and Jim Monos now in place, Memphis must decide: commit to Winn, who has strong local ties, or continue churning the roster. If I’m Daryl Johnston, I’m either locking in Turner and Mazzone now or finding a new HC/OC combo within 45 days. Start grooming Winn, and move on from Perry and Williams. Consider bringing in QBs with ties to Turner/Mazzone, so the system can be ran to the highest level. A spring football veteran like Logan Woodside could help, if released by the Bengals.
Houston Roughnecks
QB Room: Jalan McClendon, Nolan Henderson, Anthony Brown Jr.
Houston has one of the more straightforward situations heading into 2026. Jalan McClendon should be their Week 1 starter just as he was slated to be for the 2023 Vipers before that team folded.
McClendon again proved his capability to lead a spring franchise. If he doesn’t get an NFL shot, Houston must keep him. Nolan Henderson has upside as a serviceable backup QB, while Anthony Brown’s time may be running out. His production was the lowest of the trio in 2025. Expect Houston to retain McClendon and Henderson and look to replace Brown with a younger prospect or local draw like Donovon Smith or Clayton Tune (if released).
Arlington Renegades
QB Room: Luis Perez, Holton Ahlers, Luke Lehnen
The Renegades are in a tough situation as despite winning a championship in 2023, they’ve garnered little success since then. The room is currently led by Luis Perez with Backups Luke Lehnen and Holton Ahlers receiving limited reps during Perez’s tenure. While the “Spring King” remains tight-lipped about his future plans, it does appear he is committed to returning in 2026.
The problem lies with if you’re the Renegades, is that what you want? In a league of opportunity many may scoff at a 30 plus year old journeyman taking reps away from Two younger players but that really comes down to what Head Coach Bob Stoops and Offensive Coordinator Chuck Long think.
Because I’m a sucker for history, I’d probably bring back Perez for the sense of him surpassing Bobby Hebert’s 11,137 Passing Yards but continue to find ways to keep Ahlers and Lehnen engaged. While it’s not impossible Perez did just put together another 2,000 Yard season and could find his way into another NFL situation for a team in need of QB help during training camp.
While Renegades fans may not like it, I'd give this room another go at it before I found myself looking towards Ahlers or Lehnen to bring my franchise into 2027, Perez is back for 2026. Hopefully Lehnen and Ahlers feel the same way, as the UFL deserves to see both talent QBs showcase their skills.
Michigan Panthers
QB Room: Bryce Perkins, Danny Etling, Rocky Lombardi
Released: Colby Suits (Week 9), Alan Bowman (Week 4)
The Panthers should start making plans for 2026 that don’t include Bryce Perkins because all intents and purposes seem to lead to the former Virginia Quarterback is primed for an NFL return. While Perkins was most likely the league's MVP before an injury derailed his season, Perkins has done enough to prove he’s able to be extremely serviceable at the next level.
With Perkins expected to transition to the NFL, the Panthers should bring back Danny Etling and Rocky Lombardi in 2026, while possibly pushing for a young developmental prospect with ties to the state (Cade McNamara). Etling has proven to be extremely capable and competent for the Panthers when given free reign, while Lombardi has the makings of a capable Backup who could develop into a top-4 QB if given a bit more seasoning.
The Panthers could also trade for a QB in Arlington or Birmingham if they want to remain “in-house”, to compete with Etling this upcoming season, in hopes of giving another opportunity to a younger player.
Birmingham Stallions
QB Room: J’Mar Smith, Case Cookus, Andrew Peasley, Alex McGough, Matt Corral (IR)
Released: Jalan Morton (Week 7)
The Stallions have been through the ringer this season and are arguably one of the most QB rich teams in 2025. While the room has seen Six quarterbacks on the roster and Five take snaps, the Stallions still managed to clinch the USFL Conference Title despite all the hurdles in their season.
Going into 2026, the Stallions may find themselves in a bit of a Quarterback conundrum as well. In 2024 the Stallions saw Two QBs sign with NFL teams with Adrian Martinez earning a spot on the Jets Practice Squad with the odds of him remaining seem pretty high going into his second year with New York. The team also saw Matt Corral spend time with the Vikings before the team released him during final cuts. Now with none of Skip Holtz’s Quarterbacks obtaining a large enough sample size, the likelihood of attrition coming from an NFL stint is extremely unlikely.
Birmingham has a glutton of QBs rostered currently riding high with J’Mar Smith fresh from the coffee shop. Smith has been a huge burst of energy for the Stallions who have seen Alex McGough, Matt Corral, Andrew Peasley, and Case Cookus join Smith under center for the Stallions this year, and while it’s been fun to watch the Stallions do have some questions for their room in 2026.
If you’re a fan of the team you ask yourself what’s the best possible outcome for all parties involved. Well I think it’s J’Mar Smith retires after leading them to a championship, Matt Corral earns an NFL Practice Squad opportunity, Alex McGough returns for 2026, Case Cookus gets traded to start for another UFL team after earning his championship ring, Andrew Peasley returns as QB2, and the Stallions sign a developmental QB like Michael Hiers who has local ties.
While Birmingham’s QB situation is not linear, it is still the best in the UFL. The team has a gluttony of riches to choose from and possible leverage to fill in needs for their roster that is sure to get decimated in the coming NFL/UFL cycle.
D.C. Defenders
QB Room: Jordan Ta’amu, Mike DiLiello, Spencer Sanders
The Defenders QB room unfortunately leans extremely heavy on the presumed 2025 UFL MVP, however the team did allow 2nd year QB Mike DiLiello to earn some much needed reps for the future, especially with Ta’amu looking to earn an NFL contract, and most likely will.
The Defenders have lost a lot of key pieces on their team this year. Starting with Head Coach Reggie Barlow, followed by Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams, with Shannon Harris, and Fred Kaiss suspected to follow to Tennessee State, and could see their star QB also make the jump to “greener pastures” as well.
With a possible new group of faces in D.C. a new system can be expected as well. Is it possible the league gives A.J. Smith another shot which would warrant a new system, and a new QB if Ta’amu transitions to the NFL?
Regardless, a lot of what happens in D.C. will hinge on what Ta’amu chooses to do. Is he comfortable continuing to play in the UFL, is his NFL window closed, is he in a place financially where the 60k plus salary is enough? As with all the Quarterbacks on this list the situation is extremely fluid. I do believe Ta’amu has done enough to earn an NFL opportunity which then brings the question to light: is Mike DiLiello capable of managing this Offense in a new system, and is Spencer Sanders someone you can also trust to build off on?
Right now on June 3rd, the Defenders should remain in a holding pattern in their QB room, and then plan for a scenario that Ta’amu lands on a practice squad for an NFL squad. With NFL Practice Squad making around $250K it’s extremely possible that if Ta’amu spends a whole year with an NFL team he may “sit out” the 2026 UFL season if offered only a “futures deal”.
While there is always a lot of speculation regarding what a QB like Ta’amu may do, he is the straw that stirs the drink in D.C. only missing 1 game due to rest in his tenure in addition to his numerous accolades with the Defenders. Moving forward if Ta’amu were to leave maybe calling Birmingham for a player like Matt Corral would be an easy transition to pair up with DiLiello and Spencer Sanders in 2026.
San Antonio Brahmas
QB Room: Kellen Mond, Jarrett Guarantano, Alan Bowman, Kevin Hogan (IR)
Released: Mike Hohensee
After a 1-9 record coming off a UFL championship appearance the Brahmas 2025 was met with turmoil and dysfunction that was thrust into the lap of interim HC Payton Pardee. The Brahmas leaned on Kellen Mond and Kevin Hogan that managed about 140 passing yards a game along with 5 Touchdowns through 10 games. The Brahmas have never really had a “guy” since their inception at Quarterback, “blowing it up” the past two seasons.
As 2026 creeps in, I expect San Antonio to hopefully retain Payton Pardee, if Wade Phillips opts to not return. Pardee will most likely lean on GM Marc Lilibridge to rebuild a roster that has seen Two playoff appearances (Roughnecks 23, and Brahmas 24), with hopefully maintaining some stability in their coaching staff.
The Brahmas passing records are mostly held by Jack Coan who is now with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders, and while continuity is more of a privilege than a right in the UFL it’s worth noting Coan didn’t even play a full 10-game season with the Brahmas in 2023. While Chase Garbers did inspire hope up until the UFL championship, the Brahmas opted to jettison him and Quinten Dormady for Kellen Mond.
Mond at times was efficient however would be benched for Jarrett Gurantano and Kevin Hogan throughout the season. The San Antonio local put some decent things on tape however shouldn’t be counted on in 2026 to be the “guy” without some competition.
The Brahmas also have Kevin Hogan who despite the ability to push the ball down field, unfortunately led to no victories and finished with a three interception performance in a loss against the Memphis Showboats. Jarrett Gurantano also had a quick cameo this year with his play being uninspiring while Mike Hohnesee and Alan Bowman doing a great job holding the clipboard.
Moving forward it probably isn’t a huge risk for the Brahmas to bring back Mond, but there is a need to add some competition in San Antonio. The Brahmas need to bring in at least one Quarterback with a bit of experience at the Spring or NFL level, in an effort to push Mond to elevate his game. While Guarantano may be a nice piece to keep around, his services may be better utilized on another team to allow him to develop. I wouldn’t be opposed to the Brahmas keeping Alan Bowman, but if a more attractive Quarterback whose been in a Rookie Mini Camp is available like Paxton DeLuarent, it may be a better find for San Antonio and the league as whole.
