The Dallas Renegades once again disappointed the fan base in the Metroplex with a losing season and a playoff miss.
Since winning the XFL title in 2023, the Renegades have failed to make the postseason in each of the last three years, with their best record a 5-5 mark in 2025. They are coming off a year in which they started 3-0 but finished 4-6 after a horrific six-game losing streak.
Renegades head coach Rick Neuheisel has his work cut out for him as he enters his first full offseason in the UFL, trying to figure out how to get this team over the hump. There are some subtle changes and moves he can make in order to get this team into the UFL postseason for the first time.
Changes the Dallas Renegades must make in 2027
Completely shift the offensive philosophy
This shouldn't be a section that is all about bashing the Renegades' offensive coordinator, Noel Mazzone, because he still did some good things with the offense. Dallas still had the UFL's third-best passing attack, averaging 193 yards per game, and despite being near the bottom in rushing yards, they did improve on that late in the season.
Unfortunately, there was a disconnect in the offense after the 3-0 start. It felt like the Renegades lost all the aggressiveness and efficiency of the passing attack that made them so good with Austin Reed as the quarterback. Tyler Vaughns was pacing for over 1,000 yards for the first time in league history, but was non-existent in the offense in the final seven games.
The scheme has to change so that Dallas can run the ball more while still allowing Reed to take shots downfield. With those fundamental changes, the Renegades will continue to struggle offensively.
Bring in a home run hitter at running back
Dallas should still bring back Ellis Merriweather and Dae Dae Hunter if they want to come back, as they are solid running backs. The Renegades, though, really lacked that top-speed back who could consistently break off massive runs. Hunter was that guy at times, but not nearly as much as they needed.
When scouting running backs this offseason, the Renegades need to find a back who can run in the 4.2s and get him on the field for five to 10 touches per game. It would also be helpful if this back could catch out of the backfield, since the Renegades lacked in that department. Keegan Jones was thought of to be that guy late in the season, but never did anything with it.
If there is a sure way to get the offense rolling with big plays, get the electric playmaker in the backfield to make it happen.
Find some help with the pass-rush
There were some bright spots in the Renegades' front seven, with Willie Taylor III the best pass rusher. Even Darrius Moragne and Kevin Strong were very good, but Dallas lacked consistency in pressuring the quarterback.
The team finished the season with 24 sacks in 10 games, with Taylor and Moragne tied for the team lead with four. Dallas' problem was that when Taylor got hurt in the Orlando Storm game late in the season, it took the wind out of the defense and hasn't gotten much pressure on the quarterback since.
In the offseason, the Renegades need to find another pass rusher to help round out a potentially really good unit if the right pieces are in place.
A new kicker must play for the Renegades
Honestly, this should probably be number one on the list, but since this isn't a ranked list, we'll keep it here.
Colton Theaker, while he has potential, was the most inaccurate kicker in the UFL, and Neuheisel stuck with him all season, hoping he would eventually get better. He didn't, as he finished seven-for-14 field goals and had one blocked.
This is another position group that needs to be evaluated with new talent, as the Renegades just need to find the next Tanner Brown, Jake Bates, or Brandon Aubrey. Realistically, any kicker might work out better than what Dallas dealt with in 2026.