This is the seventh part of an eight-part look at each UFL team’s 2026 season.
Part One: Columbus Aviators
Part Two: Dallas Renegades
Part Three: Birmingham Stallions
Part Four: Houston Gamblers
Part Five: St. Louis Battlehawks
What went right
D.C. made it to the league championship game for the second year in a row, this year despite the loss of QB Jordan Ta'amu to injury. They backdoored their way into the playoffs, having lost their last four regular season games, but came back to defeat the best team in the UFL, the Orlando Storm, in the semifinals. Their ability to stay afloat without their star QB can be attributed to a multi-pronged run game and a stifling defense. The Defenders led the UFL in rushing and in total offensive yards per game, and it wasn't really close. They were third in defensive yards per game allowed. Kicker Matt McCrane made four field goals from beyond 60 yards to lead the league in the new four-point field goal category.
What went wrong
Had Ta'amu not gotten injured, it's fair to wonder if the pieces would've been there for D.C. to repeat as champions. There was a significant drop-off from him to Spencer Sanders and Jason Bean, the two QBs who started in Ta'amu's stead. The passing game was basically neutered without him. A lot was made of the big hit Derick Roberson laid on Louisville QB Chandler Rogers in their first meeting, a hit that seemed to reinvigorate Rogers and the Kings. It was another example, though, of D.C.'s undisciplined nature as a penalty was called on the hit to keep the Kings' drive alive. They were never able to solve Louisville in three meetings, even when facing them in a home game in the United Bowl.
Stat to note
The difference in the offense under Ta'amu and his backups was stark. Ta'amu completed 61.6% of his passes versus just 46.9% for the combination of Sanders and Bean. The most notable difference was that the downfield passing attack, a true threat under Ta'amu, was all but abandoned once he went down. Ta'amu averaged 8.56 yards per attempt, which would've put him in the upper echelon of NFL QBs based on 2025 numbers. That number was more than two yards lower, 6.38, under Sanders and Bean.
Offensive MVP
Though he turned the ball over nine times in eight games, the offense clearly suffered without QB Jordan Ta'amu. True, RB Deon Jackson led the UFL in rushing; if he went down, the team had capable backups in Abram Smith and Xazavian Valladay. So in terms of the "value" part of Most Valuable Player, it's difficult to argue with Ta'amu as the guy. Ta'amu no doubt would've been a league MVP finalist had he been fully healthy for the last three games.
Defensive MVP
D.C. did have a finalist for the UFL MVP award, and it was DE Derick Roberson. Roberson's seven sacks led the team, as did his nine tackles for loss. He added two forced fumbles as well. He was a constant presence in the backfield of opponents and needed to be accounted for in every game. The Defenders lacked a consistent rusher opposite Roberson, so much so that they had to coax Andre Mintze out of retirement for their playoff run. That made Roberson's performance all the more impressive.
Special Teams MVP
The honor of the first four-point field goal in football history belongs to K Matt McCrane. Combining the playoffs and regular season, McCrane made four field goals of 60 yards and beyond on six attempts, a remarkable percentage of successful kicks from that distance. D.C. relied on his leg often for long kicks, which brought down his percentage a bit (though it was a slight improvement from 2025). A kicker like McCrane is an important weapon to have in the UFL this year and beyond.
Most likely to succeed (in getting NFL opportunities)
It would've been interesting to see if Ta'amu would've gotten a look from an NFL team after yet another impressive season. Alas, his ACL injury renders that point moot. Both Deon Jackson and Xazavian Valladay should find NFL teams calling, along with Cornell Powell. Powell's receiver mate, Erik Ezukanma, has already signed, with the Philadelphia Eagles. On defense, Sam Kidd had a solid year at safety after being injured for much of 2025. LB Curtis Jacobs should get another shot. D.C. is another team with a veteran defense and players whose NFL opportunities may have passed them by.
QB concern level for 2027 (1-5)
Even if Ta'amu comes back in 2027 (and it sounds like he's leaning that way), his injury happening so late in the season puts him in jeopardy to miss the start of next season. If the UFL league year is moved up to right after the NFL season, it will make it even more difficult. Bean outplayed Sanders at the end and D.C. may be comfortable going with him next year, at least to start. E.J. Perry is actually a great veteran backup to have in the room, and D.C. should think seriously about having him back in 2027, regardless of who is starting. The Defenders' ability to make a deep run in the playoffs could lead to them deciding to go with a more proven QB if one becomes available. Assuming Ta'amu misses at least he first part of the season, this will be a 3.
Head coach return scale (1-5)
Shannon Harris proved 2025 wasn't a fluke, returning to the United Bowl for the second time in two seasons. This past year, he balanced his D.C. job with being offensive coordinator at Tennessee State. He won't return to the latter role in 2026. Now that UFL Head Coach is a full-time position, it's unlikely he'll be able to double-dip this coming fall. Harris has a future back in college ball or the pros - I'm just not sure it'll be within the next year. With "5" being most likely to return, Harris is a 4 for me.
Offseason needs for 2027
One of the more interesting storylines of the UFL off-season will be what, if anything, the Defenders do at QB. The offense may have to replace numerous skill position and offensive line players that end up in the NFL. Even if not, OL depth should be a priority, as well as shoring up the tight end position. Brandon Smith and Curtis Jacobs played well at LB; others at the position, not so much. The team seemed to phase out veteran Deontay Anderson at safety later in the year, so more depth could be used at that spot as well. D.C.'s coverage units on special teams were not as strong as they could be. That's another potential area for improvement.