XFL 2023: What to expect this year
Despite having twice gone out of business, the XFL is back. And looking better than ever.
First launched in 2001 by NBC and WWE as an alternative to the NFL, the league ceased to exist after a single season before failing in a revamp in 2020, given the Covid-19 pandemic.
But under new ownership of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Dany Garcia and RedBird Capital, the 2023 season already feels like a different prospect.
Ahead of the new season kicking off on 18th February, we take a look at what to expect in 2023:
What is new about the XFL?
Headquartered in Arlington, Texas, teams will all train in the city and travel for game days to the their respective areas. While teams have their own local business operations, it means but do not need to sustain the costs of training facilities and a big headquarters.
A 2022 start had been earmarked but that was pushed back to this year after talks over a partnership with the Canadian Football League (CFL) were put on ice.
The XFL hasn’t made a massive overhaul in its approach from three years ago, but the league has changed its tune. Former owner Vince McMahon, who reportedly pumped US$200 million into the 2020 relaunch, was openly hostile towards the NFL, labelling it the ‘No Fun League’ many years ago. A minor league developmental partnership with the NFL, or any other competition, was also outlawed by the former WWE star.
Under the ownership of Johnson and Garcia, the ‘us versus them’ mindset is no longer. The XFL infact teamed up with the NFL in February 2022 for a collaboration focusing on health and safety and innovation in football. All points in the right direction to growing the sport of football during the NFL’s offseason.
The 2023 campaign will feature eight teams, 43 games and run from 18th February to 23rd April, before the playoffs are held from 29th April to 13th May. Games will be broadcast on a combination of ABC (seven games), ESPN and ESPN2 (22 games) and FX (15 games), with every matchup also available streaming on ESPN+.
Who are the teams?
Five teams represented in the previous instalment of the tournament are returning in 2023. They are Arlington Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, DC Defenders, Seattle Sea Dragons and St Louis Battlehawks.
For many, the DC Defenders are one of the leading contenders for the XFL this year. Their roster seems on paper to be pretty compact, led by former United States Football League (USFL) standout Jordan Ta’amu. They have a wealth of talent in the backfield that includes former Jacksonville Jaguar Ryquell Armstead, and ex-New Orleans Saints practice squad member Abram Smith, a physical, runner who averaged over 6 yards-per-carry during his college career at Baylor.
Elsewhere, the Arlington Renegades look a strong outfit, with former Jaguar Kyle Sloter under center. They come into the new year as the team to beat, not least because their home city is where all teams will be based out of.
As for the new joiners, the sides are the San Antonio Brahmas, Orlando Guardians and Vegas Vipers. The Brahmas, named after the league boss’ nickname, in particular look to be a competitive unit, not to mention an experienced coaching lineup. Pittsburgh Steelers icon Hines Ward leads the team as head coach, with a linebacker coach who spent over 10 years in the NFL in Jim Herrmann serving as defensive coordinator.
The Vegas Vipers too are a side to watch out for. Headed by Steelers and Baltimore Ravens legend Rod Woodson, they including former former NFL Draft first round linebacker Vic Beasley, who was an All-Pro with the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, and Martavis Bryant, a receiver with the Steelers and Oakland (now Las Vegas) Raiders as former employers.
What players to look out for?
There are many notable former National Football League (NFL) players competing in the XFL this season, including those mentioned above.
QB A.J. McCarron of the St. Louis Battlehawks enjoyed a solid career as a backup in the NFL, and has the accolade of being the first quarterback in college football history to win the BCS National Championship Game twice in a row to his name. He’s got the talent to be a superstar in this league, and will command the respect of his teammates and opponents.
Paxton Lynch and Matt Elam are both big name players from the Orlando Guardians who were taken early from previous NFL Drafts, but both proved to busts in the league. They’ll be looking to show off their talents on the XFL stage. It will be interesting to see how wide receiver Josh Gordon gets on for the Seattle Sea Dragons, given his NFL pedigree and being in the league as recently as last season, as well as former Dallas Cowboys QB Ben DiNucci.
On the defensive side of the field, Beasley’s name is the obvious standout. Former NFL second round cornerback Sean Davis is a great addition for the Houston Roughnecks, but we are really looking forward to seeing how linebacker Donald Payne gets on with the Renegades. Payne flopped while with the Jaguars in the NFL, but led the USFL in tackles in 2022 with the Houston Gamblers and is in a great position to succeed in the XFL.
The season kicks off with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 18, with the Vipers clashing with the Renegades at Choctaw Stadium at 3 p.m. ET, followed by the Orlando Guardians and Houston Roughnecks at TDECU Stadium at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Make sure you check out The Franchise Tag’s brilliant coverage of the teams, which includes player and coach interviews, plus much more!
