After only six months, one of the UFL's biggest trades fizzled out, amounting to nothing for the teams or players involved. On October 24, 2024, the UFL announced a trade involving Memphis Showboats defensive lineman Jordan Ferguson in exchange for San Antonio Brahmas quarterback Quinten Dormady.
Showboats Find Options At Quarterback
Last year, in their final game against Houston, Memphis won the ultimate incentive reward by securing the first pick in every round of the UFL draft. In July, Memphis addressed their quarterback issues by selecting Kansas State University quarterback Jason Bean with their first overall draft pick. Although the Showboats had the best of intentions, Bean has a reserve/futures contract with the Indianapolis Colts that prevents him from playing for the UFL.
In September, the Showboats underwent a major overhaul at the top, with GM Jim Monos replacing Dennis Polian and Ken Whisenhunt replacing former head coach John DiFilippo. Trading Ferguson for Dormady indicated the new Memphis leadership was making big changes. The move signaled an upgrade at quarterback since Dormady played a role in the Brahmas' reaching the UFL Championship game.
But Monos and Whisenhunt weren't done. Immediately after the Michigan Panthers released quarterback E.J. Perry in early February, they snapped him up. In the blink of an eye, the Showboats had seemingly solved one of their biggest challenges. By bringing in two experienced spring football talents, they could overcome the lack of consistent production at the quarterback position. Under DeFilippo's reign, all three quarterbacks, Case Cookus, Williams, and Josh Love, had opportunities, but all three were plagued by an ineffective frontline and too many turnovers.
Showboats Trade Fails to Provide An Answer
Ahead of the UFL's upcoming season, things suddenly took a turn on February 13th when the league announced that Jordan Ferguson would be retiring. When training camp opened two weeks later, Perry and Dormady were expected to battle returning quarterback Troy Williams for the number one spot.
But a week later, the UFL abruptly announced the Showboats released Dormady. Does this move open the door for Perry or Williams to assume the QB1 role, or do Monos and Whisenhunt have another plan in store?
E.J. Perry
Perry showed flashes of brilliance last year with the Michigan Panthers, including a 66-yard touchdown bomb to Marcus Simms in week 3. He's proven to be a highly mobile quarterback who can make things happen with his speed and agility. Unfortunately, after his early success, he had a season-ending hamstring injury in week four. Although Perry has solid instincts, his throws tend to be inaccurate. Hopefully, with the strong coaching staff Whisenhunt has assembled, Perry's inaccuracy can be corrected.
Troy Williams
With Cookus getting the starting assignment last season, Williams assumed the backup role. By the time he got his first start with the Showboats, it was at the mid-point of the season. Nonetheless, Williams accounted for 592 passing yards with five touchdowns and 74 rushing yards to add another touchdown. He also had five interceptions. Last year's UFL debut did not showcase Williams' talents. He was at his best with the USFL Pittsburgh Maulers. He led the 2023 Maulers to a Championship title. That season, Williams passed for 1,414 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions. He ran for another 341 yards with three touchdowns.
The best indication that Williams will be successful this season is that Whisenhunt recruited several of the Maulers' former coaches. That coaching reunion could help Williams regain his previous form and reestablish the promising results he enjoyed in Pittsburgh.
A Third Option At Quarterback
When Dormady's release was announced, speculation began who might become the Showboats' third quarterback. Former St. Louis Battlehawks / Cincinnati Bengals quarterback, AJ McCarron was mentioned as a possibility. An established spring football veteran, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star proved to be one of the best quarterbacks in the UFL last season with 1,582 yards in nine games with 15 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He led the Battlehawks to the UFL playoffs where they ultimately lost to the Brahmas.
But despite McCarron stating that he would love to return to the UFL and play for another team, Monos and Whisenhunt elected to go in a different direction, signing former L.A. Rams and Edmonton Elks quarterback Dresser Winn. 26-year-old Winn is a native of Dresden, Tennessee who graduated from UT-Martin in 2022. He was signed by the Rams as an undrafted free agent in May, 2023. After being waived by the Rams a few months later, he was signed to the Elks practice squad. A second stint with the Rams followed along with a reserve/future contract last year. Waived by the Rams a second time in August, it looks like Winn is finally going to get an opportunity with the Showboats to prove himself on the football field.