2021 USFL Season Preview: Part 1

Quick schedule update: Part 2 of the season preview will post tomorrow, with Week 1 of the 2021 season released on Dec. 9 and every week after than on an every-3-days schedule (12th, 15th, 18th, etc.)

Less than a week away from kickoff and we are all ready for the USFL to return, back to stadiums, back to fans in the stands, and back to football. It has been a wild offseason and all 30 USFL clubs are now geared up for the start of another season. In our two-part preseason preview we will first take a look back at the offseason, all the signings, player movement, and new faces on teams that will help shape the year to come. In the second half of the report, we look ahead to the 2021 season, make our bold predictions, and gear up for the first plays, first hits, and first scores of the new season, the USFL’s 39^th. We start it all off with the big story of the past month, the NFL-USFL Transfer window and its impact on the season ahead.

Transfer Window Produces Windfall for Both Leagues

We knew going in that this year’s NFL-USFL Window would be a new experience. Ever since the two leagues agreed to a twice-yearly transfer period, we have had an exodus of USFL talent headed to the NFL in late September and early October, and a reverse flow of talent back from the NFL to the USFL in February and early March. It had a rhythm to it and a pretty clear back and forth dynamic. But, this year, with the USFL season postponed until mid-May and extending into October, the first of the two windows was scuttled. That left one window remaining, and while the USFL was open to shifting the timeframe from mid-February as early as mid-January, the NFL declined and so the spring Transfer Window opened as usual in February, but this year with players from both leagues now very much in play.

Unlike past years when most USFL free agents would be signed either in October to NFL deals, or by mid-December to new USFL deals, this year saw many players hold off on a new deal, waiting for the NFL window to open and potentially for new offers to be made. So, what we saw when the two leagues opened negotiations with their free agents was a free-for-all between teams, players, and agents. The ensuing chaos produced almost daily stories on a new signing, or a competition between two teams in two leagues to land the same player. So, what was the end result? By all accounts, the USFL may have come out a bit ahead in the overall picture, but the NFL certainly nabbed some big-name players of their own. As we break down the deals made, we will start with the NFL signings of USFL talent.

Perhaps the biggest name to jump from spring to fall was Portland DT Ndamukong Suh, who signed a 2-year deal to move from the PNW to Detroit and the Lions. He was joined there by another USFL talent, 2020 breakout player from the expansion Steamrollers, HB Kerwynn Johnson. Two other backs made the jump, giving themselves a nearly 16-month rest period by doing so, Ryan Williams left the Invaders for the Philadelphia Eagles while Knile Davis returned to the NFL after a multi-year USFL stint, signing with the Arizona Cardinals.

The NFL, as we have seen in recent years, put a premium on defensive talent, pulling away several solid players from the spring league. In addition to Suh jumping to Detroit, we saw DE Oliver Vernon sign with Baltimore, LB Courtney Upshaw to Cleveland, SS Kendrick Lewis to the Kansas City Chiefs, CB Janoris Jenkins to the NY Giants, and DE Michael Johnson to the Las Vegas Raiders.

The USFL also seemed intent on landing defensive talent through the transfer window. Several quality defenders, especially along the D-line opted to jump right back onto the field, taking only a 3-month gap between the end of the NFL season and the start of the USFL season this March. The biggest name among them is 5-time Pro Bowler, former Houston Oiler DE J. J. Watt. Watt, coming off an injury that cost him most of the 2019 season, rebounded to have 16 sacks for Houston this past fall, not bad in a contract year. That rebound helped him secure a nice 3-year deal to jump to spring and join the Memphis Showboats. We may start seeing some 99 jerseys in Memphis to go with all those classic 92 Reggie White jerseys.

Watt was not the only big man to join the spring league this past month. Also signing on were Seahawk DE Carlos Dunlap, now headed to Birmingham; another Seahawk, DT Poona Ford, joining the Charlotte Monarchs; Rams’ DT Michael Brockers will now line up next to Calais Campbell in Baltimore, adding even more athleticism to an already imposing Blitz front 4. Other defenders headed to the spring include LB Nate Orchard (Redskins to Showboats), CB Ronadl Darby (Eagles to Panthers), CB Levi Wallace (Bills to Monarchs), and safety Malik Hooker (Colts to Stallions).

But while there was certainly quality on the defensive side, the players many fans are now squawking about are offensive playmakers. The USFL landed some big names and even bigger expectations, particularly at halfback and quarterback. Let’s break down the 7 players that everyone is talking about. 

QB Jameis Winston (NFL Saints to USFL Stallions)

Interceptions were the issue for Winston, who put up huge numbers as a Buccaneer before signing a one-year deal in New Orleans. With 30 TDs and a whopping 33 picks in 2019 with Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers let the 2015 draft choice go. He only saw limited action in 2020 with the Saints but now joins the USFL on what many think could be a redemption tour. The only thing is that with Cam Newton ahead of him on the depth chart, many are wondering if the Stallions are setting themselves up for a QB controversy if once again Newton’s strong individual stats don’t translate into team wins.

QB Carson Wentz (NFL Eagles to USFL Stars)

The Stars failed to land their intended target in the draft, BYU’s Zach Wilson, but they did not need to look far to find their new starter. Wentz, who was the starter for the Eagles for the past 5 seasons, threw for over 4,000 yards and 27 TDs in 2019. He struggled a bit in 2020, and some injury concerns helped Philadelphia make the call to move on, but that helps the in-town USFL Stars find themselves a solid option at a position of definite need. Expect Wentz to be handed the starter’s role from day one and for those who thought he was unfairly treated by the Eagles to jump on board with the Stars as a result.

QB Gardner Minshew (NFL Jaguars to USFL Viper)

This is an interesting one. We did not have Las Vegas as a very likely QB seeker this offseason. Matt McGloin has been solid even as the team struggled, but the Vipers felt differently and in Minshew they get themselves not only a capable backup, but a real personality, one that could be a draw in a fun-loving city like Las Vegas. And, if McGloin struggles, we don’t think that Coach Landry will hesitate to see what Minshew can offer. The former Jaguar signed a one-year “prove it” deal, so any chance to get on the field could be an extended try out for the former ECU and Washington State QB.

QB Blake Bortles (NFL Rams to USFL Showboats)

We see the logic here. Bortles, after falling out of favor in Jacksonville, despite a 4,000-yard season in 2015 and another 3,900 yards the year after, spent 2020 with the Rams, starting 12 games, compiling a 3-9 record, and throwing for 13 TDs with 11 picks. Clearly Bortles needs something of a reboot, so jumping leagues makes perfect sense. And, with Ryan Fitzpatrick calling it a career, Memphis was certainly in the market for an experienced backup in the event that Paxton Lynch suffers an injury. The deal allows Bortles to build towards possibly a new starting gig in the future, while Memphis gets themselves a pretty athletic, strong-armed option to back up their starter.

HB Chris Carson (NFL Seahawks to USFL Renegades)

The ‘Gades desperately needed to upgrade their run game. Carson will do that. An underappreciated back in Seattle, the former OK State Cowboy rushed for a career-best 1,230 yards in 2019, following up a solid 2^nd year where he rushed for 1,141. Carson’s 2020 numbers were more modest, impacted by an injury that kept him out of 4 games and reduced his load for several more. With the Renegades, Carson could start the year splitting carries, but we think he will end up as the lead back by midseason.

HB James Conner (NFL Steelers to USFL Skyhawks)

A very solid back who has averaged over 4 yards per carry his entire career with the Steelers, but has not been able to play a full season, missing at least 4 games every year since coming into the pro ranks. St. Louis, hoping to find a replacement for Eddie Lacy, is counting on Conner to stay healthy and turn those 4 yards per carry into 100 yards per game. The Skyhawks took a bit of a risk on this pick, because while Conner certainly has some talent, his injury woes have been equally notable over the past 4 seasons. 

HB Melvin Gordon (NFL Broncos to USFL Gunslingers)

Gordon is perhaps the steal of the transfer window. Yes, he too has had his share of injuries, but after 5 seasons with the Chargers, he showed his best on a 1-year deal with the Denver Broncos, rushing for 986 yards and 9 touchdowns this past fall. That strong season boosted his value and made him an attractive candidate for teams in both leagues. San Antonio, still sitting pretty with ample cap room, was able to outbid at least 3 other teams, including the NFL Broncos to bring in Gordon, who projects as the starter for the 2^nd year franchise.

Other NFL imports of note include FB Alex Armah (ARZ), kicker Randy Bullock (NOR), G Xavier Su’a-Filo (TBY) and OT Trent Williams (OAK). Players still available with 5 days left in the window include DE Carl Lawson, DT Leonard Williams, HB LeSean McCoy, HB Aaron Jones, OT Matt Feiler, QB Philip Rivers, and WR T. Y. Hilton.

The 15 Best Draft Signings and 8 That Got Away

With more than 80% of all the USFL/NFL draftees now signed, and none who rate above a 3^rd round selection still holding out, we have a good picture of just how the two leagues fared against each other. The NFL can once again claim victory in the QB wars, with three of the highest graded five quarterbacks signing to play in the fall. They also fared well overall, with 6 of their top 10 picks heading to the NFL. The USFL can claim victory overall, with 20 of the NFL’s 32 first round picks headed to the spring league, largely due to a strong performance with players selected in the Territorial Draft. We’ll run through each team’s total performance in the draft when we hit the team previews, but right now, let’s look at the 20 players who signed with the USFL and could provide instant impact, along with 10 that USFL fans will lament losing out on.

WIN: QB Trevor Lawrence (Clemson): Chose the USFL Bulls over the NFL Jaguars

In the battle for the top-rated QB in the draft, the city of Jacksonville was the battleground, with both its NFL and USFL teams battling to sign the Clemson QB. The Bulls won out, largely on the strength of the spring league’s reputation as a passing league and the solid interview from Coach Winston Moss. Expect Lawrence to be under center when the Bulls open the season with a tough matchup against the defending league champion Bandits.

WIN: TE Kyle Pitts (Florida): Chose the USFL Skyhawks over the NFL Falcons

Battle of the Birds as the Hawks outfly the Falcons and land the former Gator tight end. Once again we think the USFL’s history of wide-open passing and vertical attacks was attractive to the talented receiving tight end. It probably did not hurt that St. Louis offered him a more lucrative deal, and one that ends after 3 seasons, not the NFL’s standard 4-year deal for rookies.

LOSS: QB Zach Wilson (BYU): Chose the NFL Jets over the USFL Stars

This one is a head scratcher. We think the money was about even, and while Philadelphia, with a new head coach in Dan Quinn has some issues to solve, everyone in football knows that the NY Jets are a quarterback graveyard of blown potential. But maybe the lure of the bigger TV market and a chance to start for a team that has a better receiver group was the lure needed.

WIN: OT Penei Sewell (Oregon): Chose USFL Monarchs over NFL Lions

This one was all about the deal. Charlotte offered a little over $500k per season more than the Lions, and offered a shorter deal, giving Sewell the chance to test free agency a year sooner than the Lions’ offer. So now he joins the Monarchs, where he likely becomes the bodyguard for their starter, now if they could just decide between veteran backup Kyle Boller and former Invader Jimmy Garoppolo, because we are all waiting.

WIN: WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama): Chose USFL Stallions over NFL Eagles

The Stallions doubled down, protecting both Smith and teammate Jaylen Waddle in the T-Draft. That strategy got them one of the two, and we are pretty sure that is all they expected. Smith is not quite as pro-ready as Waddle, but he has all the speed and quick moves that the Stallions would like to see opposite another former Crimson Tide receiver, Henry Ruggs.

LOSS: WR JaMarr Chase (LSU): Chose the NFL Bengals over the USFL Breakers.

We think we know why Chase chose the NFL, even if it means playing in often-frigid Cincinnati. With former Tiger teammate Justin Jefferson already in New Orleans, Chase did not want to be in his shadow again. Going to the NFL lets him emerge as a star in his own right, and it probably does not hurt that the Bengals have Tua Tagovailoa at QB to get Chase the ball, though Geno Smith certainly had himself a season this year.

LOSS: WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama): Chose NFL Dolphins over USFL Stallions

The WR room was just a bit too crowded in Birmingham and Waddle was going to have a clear shot at the top receiver position in Miami, something the Stallions could not provide. Too bad, because having a 3-Alabama WR group in Birmingham would have been fun to look at each week, but maybe too much familiarity is a bad thing.

WIN: QB Justin Fields (Ohio State): Selects USFL Glory over NFL Bears

This one was pretty self-evident, especially with all the marketing options that Fields will have in Ohio as he moves from the Buckeyes to the Glory. It helps, of course, that Chicago is another famous destination where talented QBs go to be forgotten. Fields will be tutored by Jay Gruden, who has to be excited about his dual-threat ability.

WIN: LB Micah Parsons (Penn State): Selects USFL Stars over NFL Cowboys

Chalk one up for hometown pride. We are pretty sure Jerry Jones offered Parsons more money, but the lure of playing in Philadelphia, where he can cash in on his fame as a Nittany Lion helped bring Parsons to the Stars, that along with a defensive-minded coach.

LOSS: CB Patrick Surtain II (Alabama): Chose the NFL Broncos over the USFL Monarchs

When Surtain fell in the USFL Draft, we had a feeling that he would end up in the NFL with a Bronco squad that picked him with a Top 10 selection. A tough blow for a Monarch team that certainly could have used Surtain’s skills in the secondary.

WIN: OT Rashawn Slater (Northwestern): Chose the USFL Maulers over the NFL Chargers.

Pittsburgh needed this win, one that Andy Dalton has to be happy about. They outspent the Chargers and that was enough to help bring the Wildcat LT to the Steel City. Expect Slater to start his career on the right side, though we could see him move over to the left if James Hurst struggles this year.

WIN: OG Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC): Signs with USFL Express over NFL Jets

This one is all about family, as staying in LA means that AVT’s parents can watch him play. He will almost certainly start for Coach Lewis, who appreciates a guard who has the agility to pull in the run game and the strength to hold up against pro tackles on the D-Line.

LOSS: QB Mac Jones (Alabama): Chose the NFL Patriots over the USFL Wranglers.

As much as we wanted to see Jones get tutored by David Carr and take over in the desert, we can see why he would go to the team that not only offered more compensation but also has a true QB competition this year. We think Jones will get the chance to start in New England, something that would only be possible in Arizona if Carr were hurt again.

WIN: LB Jamin Davis (Kentucky): Chose the USFL Generals over the NFL Washington Team

The Generals get their man, a first round pick they hope can add some speed to what had become an aging and significantly slower LB group. We see Davis shuffling through the linebacker positions, getting time behind Matt Milano, but also stepping in to replace Akeem Ayers on 3^rd down.

WIN: WR Kadarius Toney (Florida): Chose the USFL Thunder over the NFL Giants

Weather might have been a factor here, or a more certain QB situation, or just the chance to be an impact player on a team that needs more star power. Whatever the reason, the Thunder are glad to have him. Toney will start Toney in the slot, with their bigger receivers (Ronald Johnson and Arrelious Benn) outside.

LOSS: DE Jaelen Phillips (Miami): Chose the NFL Dolphins over the USFL Renegades

We think that playing second fiddle to Montez Sweat and having to compete with Arthur Moats seemed like too much to ask for Phillips. With Miami he gets to stay in South Florida, build on his Hurricane resume and likely step right into the coveted left end role right away.

WIN: DE Kwity Paye (Michigan): Chose USFL Panthers over NFL Colts

A nice T-Draft signing for the Panthers, and a nice option for the pass rush as Paye heads just the short drive from Ann Arbor to Detroit to play in the USFL. Paye could even start at the more prestigious left end slot because Dee Ford is a better pass rusher and a more complete player when he can attack from the RE position.

WIN: HB Najee Harris (Alabama): Chose the USFL Stallions over the NFL Steelers

A Steel City battle that goes to the USFL as Harris will stay in Alabama (along with a lot of former Crimson Tide stars). Harris now gives Birmingham a true bell cow back, something they have needed for a very long time. Adding him to a pretty solid WR group also means that Cam Newton will not have to pull out the Superman cape quite so often.

LOSS: QB Trey Lance (North Dakota State): Signed with the NFL 49ers over the USFL Generals.

New Jersey did all they could to woo Lance, but San Francisco simply had more capital thanks to their use of the number 3 overall pick, and they had the advantage of having an established coach in place. New Jersey’s Robert Saleh actually came from the 49ers, but as a defensive-minded guy he struggled to connect with Lance, causing the QB to head to the NFL and a better upside potential on the West Coast.

WIN: HB Travis Etienne (Clemson): Chose the USFL Federals over the NFL Jaguars

The Feds absolutely had to come out of the offseason with an answer at tailback, and in Etienne they think they have a very good one. Chosen with Jacksonville’s 2^nd pick in the 1^st round, but with Washington’s 3^rd overall pick in the USFL Open Draft, the money was there to convince the Clemson HB to join a tradition of solid backs that dates all the way back to Craig James in 1983.

LOSS: OT Alex Leatherwood (Alabama): Chose the NFL Chargers over the USFL Gamblers

Houston hoped they could land the powerful Bama tackle, but the Chargers simply had a better deal in hand and a more attractive location to offer. Houston would land Texas A&M tackle Dan Moore, a 3^rd round pick, but they had hoped to have Leatherwood in camp to help protect Colt McCoy.

WIN: DE Gregory Rousseau (Miami): Chose the USFL Gunslingers over the NFL Bills

The chance to play in a dome in Texas rather than an outdoor facility in frigid Buffalo seems to have played a part for the Miami product. It also probably helped that the Gunslingers had plenty of cap room to make Rousseau a 4-year deal that would make him quite a bit wealthier than the NFL rookie salary structure could allow.

LOSS: CB Jaycee Horn (South Carolina): Chose the NFL Panthers over the USFL Renegades

Another swing and a miss for the ‘Gades as they struggled to land their T-Draft picks, something most teams did quite successfully. Orlando would later add a corner in 5^th round pick Tre Norwood of Oklahoma, but the talent gap between Norwood and Horn is undeniable.

WIN: HB Javonte Williams (UNC): Chose the USFL Stags over the NFL Broncos

Portland’s trade with Charlotte paid off, with the Stags getting the halfback they coveted, helped by his slide into the 2^nd round of the NFL draft. Expect to see Williams split carries with veteran Doug Martin this year, but he could well be the full time starter in 2022.

The 10 Biggest Stories from the USFL Offseason

10—Bush, Lynch, and MJD Retirements Leave Major Gaps

It is a right of July in the USFL, the wave of retirements, some anticipated, some surprising, that impact rosters and recalibrate offseason priorities. This year it is the HB position that sees three superstar players step away from the game and their teams try to reconfigure their plans. Los Angeles felt they had the successor to Reggie Bush already on the roster and will now promote UCLA product San Antonio went the NFL import route, bringing in Melvin Gordon, who has huge upside if he can stay healthy. New Jersey may be the odd man out. They failed to land a top HB prospect in free agency or the draft. Resigned a former General in Delone Carter, who spent 3 years in Ohio after leaving the Generals in 2018, and will rotate the 31-year-old with 3^rd year back Tony Pollard. Fans in New Jersey are not happy at all about the HB-by-committee plan, and we may well see new head coach Robert Saleh try to make a move through trade before the season gets too deep, because right now the Generals look like a team that simply did not plan well for their star back to leave the game.

9—Philadelphia’s QB Quest

The story all offseason in Philadelphia was the quest for a QB. The Stars, early in the fall traded away former starter Matt Gutierrez, now a backup to Kyler Murray in LA, and set their sights on the incoming rookie class. They were in talks with Jacksonville for a trade to bring them the rights to Trevor Lawrence, but Bulls’ management quickly opted to go after the Clemson QB on their own. They also spoke with Las Vegas about the rights to BYU’s Zach Wilson, but the Vipers’ asking price for their top T-Draft pick was too high. Possessing the 1^st overall pick in the Open Draft, Philadelphia knew they could claim Trey Lance of NDSU if all else failed, but when Las Vegas failed to find a buyer for their T-Draft pick, they did as many suspected they would and used all 3 territorial picks on players of need. That left Wilson free to be chosen 1^st overall, which Philadelphia did. Only problem was that the NY Jets picked Wilson with the 2^nd overall pick in the NFL Draft and offered him a deal that sent him to NYC and not PA. So, when the Eagles let Carson Wentz test the free agent waters, the Stars jumped on the 2017 NFL All-Pro, signing Wentz to a 4-year deal. The Stars had their QB, one with a Philly connection already, which could be a blessing in disguise or a nightmare if Wentz struggles as he did last year with the NFL Eagles.

8—Lacey Joins Steamrollers

Eddie Lacy was by far the most sought after USFL free agent, garnering interest from no fewer than 6 USFL teams this offseason. But while the free agent process took a while, the New England Steamrollers were patient, and generous, and that landed them the 28-year-old back, a back who had himself a 1,300 yard season in 2019, but suffered a major injury in 2020. According to both Lacy and the Steamrollers, the former Skyhawk is in great shape, ready to shine in Boston and excited to be on a team with a coaching staff that values the run game.

7—Suh Signs with NFL Lions

This one hurt. The Stags thought they had a new 3-year deal with their All-USFL DT, but Suh kept stringing along the process, long enough that when the NFL window opened, he was able to hear offers from the fall league. He liked the one he got from the Detroit Lions, and instead of locking up their interior D-line for 3 more years, the Stags were left scrambling to try to find alternatives just as camp was opening up. Suh now has another 7 months of rest ahead of him before suiting up in Honolulu blue, while the Stags made a deal with Arizona to add 7-year veteran Ryan Carrethers and could also be starting rookie Milton Williams from La Tech. That is a big jump up for the former Conference USA player and a big step down overall for the Portland D-line.

6—QB & HB Dominate NFL Transfers to Spring

The NFL-USFL transfer window (still open for several more days) has always been a place where we see older players get a chance to stretch out their careers, or players coming off injury find a new home with a team that sees their upside. It has been a place where the NFL fills their rosters with talented players whose rookie deals in the USFL have expired, and where USFL find NFL castoffs who simply did not match up well with their former team’s plans. This year the NFL again seemed focused on the D-line, adding several USFL starters like Suh, along with Blitz DE Olivier Vernon, Panther Justin Tuck, Stallion DE Jaquies Smith, Denver’s D’Aundre Reed, Federal DE Michael Johnson, and Las Vegas’s Malik Jackson. Meanwhile the USFL went after some big names at the QB and HB position, locking up deals with 1,000-yard rushers like James Conner, Melvin Gordon and Chris Carson while also bringing in 3 former NFL starting QBs and a young upstart in Gardner Minshew, whose style felt very USFL even as he played in the fall. Carson Wentz stays in Philadelphia, moving from the Eagles to the Stars. Jameis Winston, who had some big numbers (unfortunately one being his interception total) in Tampa Bay, now heads to Birmingham as an understudy for Cam Newton. And Blake Bortles, the UCF star who got a shot with the Jacksonville Jaguars, now heads to Memphis, where he could redeem himself or even jumpstart a comeback as the backup to Paxton Lynch.

5—Bulls Win Tug of Lawrence with Jaguars

The fate of Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence was a huge story across both pro football leagues, with the All-American picked by the USFL Bulls in their Territorial Draft and picked first overall by the rival Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL with the first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. We ended up with two teams in the same city, heck, the same stadium, vying for the most anticipated ACC quarterback to come out in years, and with no geographical difference, very little to say about either coaching staff, and both clubs with monetary limits, the choice ended up being about the feel for the two teams. Neither the Bulls nor the Jags have a long history of success to point to, but something about the way Winston Moss presented his vision for the Bulls, about playing for the first team to call the city home, or just the potential to play in the more wide-open passing systems of the USFL was enough to get Lawrence to sign the deal and join the Bulls.

4—Edge Rush Roulette

We did not go into the offseason thinking this would be a huge year for edge rusher news. The draft class did not offer a clearly dominant DE or OLB who drew everyone’s attention (though Micah Parsons could certainly develop into one for the Stars), and we just did not anticipate a lot of teams moving around their talent, but by the time the dust settled, we had quite a bit of DE news across the league. It started with a bang when Baltimore shocked everyone by offering Calais Campbell a deal he could not refuse. That forced Arizona into the free agent market, something they thought they could avoid with a late extension to Campbells’ deal. Without their future HOF end, they went searching, eventually signing free agent Jerry Hughes. Meanwhile, Birmingham got aggressive by signing a division rival, former Gambler Dante Fowler, Pittsburgh added former General Vic Beasley, and both Jacksonville and LA added younger DE prospects in former Glory DE Jalyn Holmes and former Bull Deatrich Wise.

In the Draft, we saw several DE’s go in the early rounds, as well as the T-Draft, with Arizona adding Tulsa’s Zaven Collins, Atlanta staying close to home with Georgia’s Monty Rice, Charlotte adding Texas DE Joseph Ossai, Denver signing Penn State’s Odafe Oweh, Houston using a T-Draft pick on Payton Turner, Michigan doing the same for Wolverine Kwity Paye, and San Antonio landing former Miami DE Gregory Rousseau.

We thought the flurry was over after the draft, but the NFL-USFL transfer window also saw some signings that continued the focus on the position, most notably former NFL Oiler J. J. Watt cutting a deal with the Memphis Showboats to join Rex Ryan’s aggressive defensive schemes. Two other NFL signings, Carlos Dunlap by Birmingham and Romeo Okwara from the Lions to the Breakers, rounded out a very busy offseason for edge rushers and defensive coordinators trying to find ways to pressure USFL quarterbacks.

3— T-Draft Trades a Risky Move

We thought we would see some interesting T-Draft deals this offseason, especially with several QBs in the mix, but when we finally got to Draft week, it was not the QBs leading the charge. It was St. Louis who kicked off the dealing, sending DE Adrian Clayborne (another edge rusher move) to Jacksonville to get their 2^nd T-Draft pick, a move that landed them TE Kyle Pitts of Florida while preserving Jacksonville’s position to draft Trevor Lawrence. We then saw Philadelphia trade away OT Donovan Smith to Birmingham for a chance at WR Jaylen Waddle (who signed with the NFL), and San Antonio made a deal with Orlando to get first dibs on DE Greg Rousseau. But perhaps the best deal made was a pick swap, 1^st T-Draft for 1^st T-Draft that ended up netting both teams the player they coveted. It was Charlotte dealing away their pick to select Oregon OT Penei Sewell, and Portland giving up the rights to Sewell so that they could solve a need at halfback by drafting UNC back Javontae Williams. Both players ended up signing with their new USFL suitor, so it worked out as planned by both teams.

Not every deal did. The Breakers swapped 2^nd round T-Draft picks with San Diego, but both picks, CB Darren Hall for New Orleans and WR Jamar Chase for the Thunder, opted to sign with the NFL, leaving both teams without their targeted selections. Similarly, Oklahoma and Orlando also swapped picks in the T-Draft, but Oklahoma’s selection of DE Jaelen Phillips went nowhere, with the Miami product joining the NFL Dolphins, while Orlando’s selection of C Creed Humphrey of OU ended up with the Kansas City Chiefs. But that is the nature of the game when you have 2 leagues both bidding for the same players, and while the T-Draft adds another complication for the USFL clubs, it still comes down to making your case to each player and hoping that you can outmaneuver the NFL for the best talent.

2—Baltimore’s Build Up

There is no doubt which club was both the most aggressive and, very likely, the most successful this offseason. Baltimore went into the offseason buoyed by a strong 2020 year, but wanting more, and they were aggressive in pursing upgrades and impact players. The biggest splash was pretty obvious, luring Calais Campbell away from Arizona with the most lucrative contract ever given to a non-QB in league history. But they were not done after that. Baltimore also added two quality starters to their secondary in former Bandit CB Ken Webster and former Chicago FS Micah Hyde. They beefed up the D-line again by signing Quinton Jefferson away from New England, and added some beef to the O-line in the form of Portland guard Dan Feeney.

As if that were not enough, Baltimore added another guard in the draft, signing App State’s Ryan Neuzil, while the D-Line got another athletic player in Washington DT Levi Onwuzurike. Wideout Tutu Atwell is seen as a potential contributor in the slot for Coach Caldwell’s offense, and, to put the cherry on top of their offseason, they went fishing in the NFL transfer pool and came away with yet another DT, and a good one, in former Ram Michael Brockers. Sure, cap space will be an issue in 2022 and 2023, but for 2021, Baltimore has sent a resounding message to the league, “Our time is now and we are all in!”

1—QB Shuffle: Band-Aid or Upgrade?

As it seems to be almost every season, the QB position was once again a huge story around the league this offseason. It seems that no one, with the exception of a few regular Summer Bowl contenders, was happy at the QB position, so we saw every kind of move imaginable. We saw early offseason trades, with Gutierrez leaving Philly for LA, Seattle moving Jacoby Brissett to clear the path for Brett Hundley, and Washington happy to bring in competition for an underachieving Ryan Nassib. Charlotte, Denver, and Oakland worked out a 3-way deal to move 2 QBs, with Mitch Trubisky now backing up Josh Allen in Denver, while, after a year behind Tom Brady in the Bay Area, Jimmy Garoppolo, the former Invader starter, now has a path to recover his starter status in Charlotte, where he will battle Kyle Boller. Oakland added a draft pick and was happy to have rookie Davis Mills as Tom Brady's new protege.

While USFL free agency did not have any big name QBs available, we did see movement among backups, with Atlanta signing former Breaker Pat White, Oklahoma outbidding New Orleans for P. J. Walker, Arizona signing Brock Osweiler to back up David Carr, and New Orleans settling on Tajh Boyd as the backup to Geno Smith. As we already highlighted, the NFL transfer pool also provided some options, with Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, Blake Bortles and Gardner Minshew all signing on for some spring ball, but it was the Draft where we saw more fan hopes and dreams in play.

Jacksonville was successful in their T-Draft bid for Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence. The next two QBs in the rankings headed to the NFL, with Zach Wilson choosing the Jets over the Stars and Trey Lance choosing the 49ers over the Generals. Alabama’s Mac Jones could have been the understudy in Arizona but chose the NFL Patriots instead. Ohio got their man, selecting and quickly signing former Buckeye Justin Fields, while Oakland double dipped, selecting Stanford's Davis Mills in the T-Draft and Texas’s Sam Ehlinger in the Open Draft, signing both to 3-year deals. Notre Dame’s Ian Book also signed with Chicago, while Florida QB Kyle Trask and Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond both opted for the NFL route. Finally, a late trade sent 2020 Jacksonville starter Teddy Bridgewater to the New Jersey Generals, where he will compete with veteran Nick Foles.

All in all, we could see new starting QBs in 4-8 cities this USFL season, starting in Week 1. Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to get the nod in Charlotte, Lawrence given the reins in Jacksonville, another rookie, Justin Fields tabbed to start for Ohio, NFL import Carson Wentz in Philadelphia. And while not slated to start this week, we should keep an eye on Jameis Winston in Birmingham, Gardner Minshew in Las Vegas, Teddy Bridgewater in New Jersey, Jacoby Brissett in Washington, and, in a long season, perhaps Matt Gutierrez (LA) or Blake Bortles (MEM) in action this year.

Previewing the Season Schedule

With the season only days away, what do we see on the horizon? A lot of good games, a lot of potential division races coming down to the wire, and a lot of matchups we don’t want to miss. As we look week-by-week across the USFL schedule, we already see some games we absolutely want to circle on our calendars. Here are 12 we think you need to mark down as well.

Week 1: Jacksonville @ Tampa Bay

The defending champs kick off their title defense with a divisional and in-state rival. It should also be the debut of Trevor Lawrence as he lines up with the Bulls.

Week 2: Seattle @ Atlanta

An interconference matchup that highlights two of the biggest surprises of 2020. Can Seattle’s secondary handle the Atlanta passing attack? Can Atlanta’s rebuild D-line take on Knowshon Moreno? This one could be an early test for both teams.

Week 4: Houston @ Arizona

We expect both of these teams to once again be in the hunt for a league title in 2021. Both could also start the season strong, but only one can reach 3-0 after this matchup. Will it be Carr and the Wranglers or Colt McCoy and the Gamblers?

Week 5: Pittsburgh @ Michigan

The Maulers made a run last year but fell short of the postseason. They want to assert themselves as a contender and that means fighting for the division, a division that has gone through the Panthers more often than not in recent years.

Week 7: Tampa Bay @ Atlanta

The Fire need to win this one to have a chance at usurping the SE Division crown away from the Bandits. Tampa Bay is not going to want to give any SE Team a foothold, but especially this very dangerous Fire squad.

Week 8: Memphis @ Oklahoma

Midway through the season where will these two stand? We think Oklahoma could make a run at the Wranglers this year, especially if we see growth from 2020 rookie Jalen Hurts. Memphis is hoping that they will be sitting pretty atop the Southern Division by this point, but with an improved Stallion squad joining New Orleans and Houston in the league’s toughest division, Memphis may need this win to stay in the mix.

Week 10: Chicago @ Michigan

Another tough Central Division showdown as the Machine would love nothing more than to knock the Panthers from their perch in the division. As the playoff push gets serious in Week 10, this game could have huge implications for both teams.

Week 11: Dallas @ Los Angeles

Another strong contender in the Southwest and the defending Pacific champion. Just how strong will both be this year? Tough to say, but what we do think we can guarantee is that Justin Herbert will not enjoy playing against that Marvin Lewis defense in LA.

Week 13: Washington @ Baltimore

The Blitz look loaded for a deep playoff run in 2021. Washington will be a better team this year as well, though we don’t know if it will be Nassib or Brissett under center for the Federals. We do think this game will feature the halfbacks as Baltimore’s Josh Jacobs will face off against the Federals’ first round pick, Travis Etienne in this Beltway Brawl.

Week 14: Seattle @ Los Angeles

This late in the season, this could be a battle for the division title. We think Seattle is likely the main competition for the Express this year, so keep this game in mind as they come down the stretch, because a chance at a division title and a possible bye week could be in the cards for this coastal clash.

Week 16: Houston @ New Orleans

How could we highlight a season’s worth of games and not include a Breaker-Gambler game? With one more week in the season (thanks to the new bye-week schedule), this game should still be a defining game for the playoff seedings, and that means we are likely to see all the starters in this one, and quite possibly, a knockout game for either the division title or a playoff spot altogether.

Week 17: Atlanta @ Tampa Bay

The final week of the year looks like it will have a huge number of key divisional games, including Michigan @ Pittsburgh, Seattle @ Oakland, and Memphis @ New Orleans, but this rematch could well be the deciding factor for who gets the 1-seed and home field in a season where we actually will see teams playing in their real homes.

2020 Retirees Who Will Get Hall of Fame Consideration

Every USFL offseason produces its share of retirement announcements, and five years later we look back on those who stepped away from the game as they become eligible for consideration to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton. As we have seen over the years, there are almost always 2-4 players who are immediate inductees while others must wait for a 2^nd or 3^rd chance before getting the nod. This year there are several players who well could join the Hall quickly, others who may get there eventually, and some who are close but may never get the call. Here is our call on who is in which category.

POTENTIAL 1^ST BALLOT HALL OF FAMERS

DT Albert Haynesworth

No doubt here as Haynesworth’s body of work in Orlando, Houston, and his one year unretirement in Atlanta speaks for itself. One of the most dominant inside defenders in the game for over a decade, we think Haynesworth gets in immediately and with little need for discussion.

HB Maurice Jones-Drew

While never the most dominant rusher for a single season, MJD’s career numbers are eye-popping, rushing for over 15,000 yards and 94 career touchdowns. His career YPC average of 3.6 is not exactly superstar caliber, but it is his ability to keep chugging, a persistence that netted the diminutive back seven 1,000-yard seasons, will be rewarded. And when you add in his contributions as a receiver (another 3,900 yards and 22 touchdowns), we don’t see how the 5-time All-USFL back misses out.

LB Channing Crowder

The 3-time All-USFL middle linebacker who led the league in tackles in both 2014 and 2019, retired with over 1,200 in his career, with nearly 10% being behind the line of scrimmage. Add in 40 sacks and you have a defender that deserves first ballot consideration.

DT Luis Castillo

A lifelong member of the Outlaws, Castillo became the starter in 2006 and played 15 seasons in one of the most grueling positions on the field, retiring this year with 759 career tackles, 18 forced fumbles, 120 TFL, and only 19 missed starts in a decade and a half. The 4-time All-USFL defensive tackle never won a title with the Texas/Oklahoma Outlaws, but his reputation as a never-quit, never-give-in machine in the middle will get him a lot of votes in 5 years’ time.

STRONG CONTENDERS FOR INDUCTION

HB Marshawn Lynch

A two-time All-USFL selection, known for “angry” runs and the “Beast Mode” nickname, Lynch had six 1,000-yard seasons, and surprisingly they were spread out over 11 seasons, with his first being his rookie year in 2007 and his final one in 2017 with Oklahoma. He came very close to adding a 7^th this year, racking up 986 yards after returning to San Antonio for his final season. He retired with over 13,618 yards and 84 touchdowns to his career, along with a lot of DBs and linebackers who still have marks on their bodies from where he ran through them.

LB Rey Maualaga

The 2009 USFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Rey Maualaga played 12 seasons, split between Charlotte (2009-2012) and New Jersey (2013-2020). A thumper through and through, the Samoan LB was only nominated All-USFL in 2012, a year when he had one of his lowest tackle counts (only 71), but had 11 sacks. He went over 100 tackles in both 2013 and 2015 before injuries started to cost him games. He missed most of the 2016 and 2017 seasons, but rebounded with a great final campaign this past year, recording 73 tackles in his final year.

OT Willie Colon

Colon played 10 seasons in the USFL after coming over from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He spent his first 7 in Houston before making a deal to move to New Orleans in free agency and finishes his career as a Breaker. Over the span of those 10 years, Colon allowed a grand total of only 31 sacks, which breaks down to only 3.1 per year. In that same time, the big man recorded over 876 pancakes, nearly 90 per season. Colon started 144 of the 146 games he played in the USFL and helped Houston get to Summer Bowl 2017, missing their title run in 2018 as he watched from New Orleans.

LB A. J. Hawk

A 15-year warrior for the Thunder, from Las Vegas to San Diego, A. J. Hawk played in 228 games, starting 207. He recorded over 1,400 tackles, with 185 behind the line of scrimmage. A versatile player, Hawk was able to play coverage, cover the run, and still record 24 career sacks. He won Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2006 and made the All-USFL team in both 2008 and 2009. He also served as team captain for an impressive 13 consecutive seasons.

POTENTIAL NOMINEES BUT UNLIKEE ENSHRINEES

HB Reggie Bush

Known as one of the best running backs in college football history, the former USC Trojan came to the USFL in 2016 after 9 seasons in the NFL. That division of time could limit his chances to get into the hall as a member of either league, but when we combine his stats across both leagues, we could see a chance. His USFL years produced 5 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a USFL career average of 4.1 yards per carry. Throw in his receiving stats and he certainly has a case, but we are just not sure that 5 years is enough for him to enter solely as a USFL standout.

DT Kedric Gholston

A 12-year starter with 4 different USFL teams, Gholston will struggle to get votes when compared with Haynesworth and Castillo. His numbers are solid, but with no All-USFL honors, it is a tough road to get to the Hall.

DE Anthony Hargrove

A 17-year veteran of the Stars, Hargrove is sure to be put in the Ring of Honor in Philadelphia and to be remember fondly for his contributions to Philadelphia’s two Conference Titles (2010 & 2013), and he may have just enough juice to get HOF recognition later in his eligibility cycle. He did retire with 166 sacks, reaching 10 sacks every season between 2009 and 2018, but with a career average of under 10 sacks per year, he may struggle against more prolific edge rushers come voting time.

DE Dwight Freeney

One more DE who will struggle for recognition, Freeney’s case is also complicated by his split career between the NFL Colts and the USFL Maulers. He had his best seasons in Indianapolis, but also put up good numbers in the USFL, with a 19-sack season in 2017 for Pittsburgh and 5 consecutive 10-sack seasons. But, with only 7 full USFL seasons, his numbers in the league will not match up with some of the big names at his position.

Coming up in Part 2, we look at the year ahead, the division races, the newcomers who could impact their teams, and the challenges facing all 30 franchises. From league champion Tampa Bay down to the Philadelphia Stars, who finished 2020 with the worst record in the league. We look for teams on the rise, those potentially falling short of their 2020 success, and those that are trying to remake their culture and their roster. We will pick our choices for the 2021 playoff teams, the eventual champion, and the five major award winners. We will also, as always, get you ready for the week of action, previewing the opening weekend of USFL Action.