The Dallas Renegades are closing in on the end of their second week of training camp after all the offseason changes across all eight teams.
Dallas felt that with a new head coach, Rick Neuheisel, and roughly two-thirds of the roster being brand-new. It has left some uncertainty among the Renegades about what's to come in the 2026 season, despite familiar faces like quarterback Luis Perez and linebacker Donald Payne.
Neuheisel, Perez, and Payne took time after the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday to discuss multiple topics. They all range from returning to the UFL to competition at their positions.
Rich Neuheisel on the Renegades' joint practice
First up to chat was Neuheisel, who talked with the media about how the second week of camp has been going. He did discuss what happened during their joint practice with the DC Defenders, which got a bit heated.
"We're proceeding nicely. We had a little bit of a workout yesterday with the DC Defenders with a spirited little competition known as a scuffle. But that just means guys are getting to the point of being tired of hitting each other. And we're looking forward to a little competition. And it got a little overzealous, I guess. But with that being said, I told the team there, I saw two things, one good, one bad. The good one was that they looked after each other. The bad one was got to have a little bit more discipline. But I'm really pleased with where we are. I don't know relative to the rest of the competition what that will look like, but I'm pretty eager to get out there and find out and looking forward to the rest of camp."
Donald Payne on coming back another year in the UFL
Payne has been consistently one of the top defenders in spring football, dating back to 2022 when he was in the USFL with the Houston Gamblers. He talked about what his mindset was coming back for another season with the Renegades.
"Yeah, I mean, it's been a whirlwind, you know, this offseason. You Know, I had some things to think about with family and you know, my next career, but, and if the NFL is going to call. So this makes five years of spring ball. So it's crazy in my fourth year with the Renegades. So I'm happy to be back."
Luis Perez on QB competition in Dallas
Perez is considered the starting quarterback of the Renegades, as he has held that position since 2023, when he was traded to them. He was asked about facing competition with Austin Reed and Luke Lehnen and whether he was focused on Neuheisel not outright giving him the starting job.
"Yeah, I'm not, I'm not focused on anybody else besides myself, and just getting better and learning the offense. All that other stuff is secondary. Every day I just go there and try to just be the best that I can be, be a sponge around Coach Mazzone, Coach Neuheisel, and continue to just grow and, you know, develop as a player. And I'm in a great room with those two guys. They're great football minds. So I just, again, I want to be a sponge around all those guys finally."
At the halfway point, the Renegades are looking solid and trying to continue their path back to the playoffs, which they last reached in 2023.