The Cleveland Browns are in the middle of the 2026 offseason, signing new players and shipping off the face of the franchise: Myles Garrett. And in the shadow of this year’s biggest blockbuster trade, the United Football League (UFL) playoffs are set to begin.
There are numerous former Browns players and coaches who are taking their shot at the UFL crown.
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The UFL is allowing these athletes and coaches to keep their dream alive of once again playing in the NFL.
This weekend, the UFL playoffs are in full swing with two games slated on Sunday, June 7. The first contest pits the #1 Orlando Storm against the defending league champions, the #4 seed DC Defenders, with kickoff at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern). The game will be nationally televised on ABC. At 6:00 p.m., the #2 seed St. Louis Battlehawks are set to host the #3 Louisville Kings, with the game broadcast by FOX.
The championship game is called the United Bowl, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at 3:00 p.m. (Eastern) broadcast on ABC.
The Orlando game has been switched to the 10,000-seat Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida, about 50 minutes east of Orlando. The Storm play their home games at Inter&Co Stadium, an MLS stadium that is home to Orlando SC, plus the NWSL club Orlando Pride. A prior-committed international soccer match prevented the Storm from using their home stadium, so a new venue was found. Orlando’s Camping World Stadium, home of the Citrus Bowl, is undergoing a massive $400 million renovation.
The UFL is a league that allows former players in all associations to come together and perform, get additional film, receive notoriety, gather additional stats, and get paid to continue their career playing professional football. Last year, 190 UFL players received workout invitations, with 160 getting training camp contracts. When the 2025 NFL season began, of that number, 46 were on an NFL roster beginning Week 1, either on the main roster, practice squad, or on some type of injury list.
Andre Szmyt #19 of the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL (Photo by Ron Jenkins/UFL/Getty Images)
Andre Szmyt #19 of the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL (Photo by Ron Jenkins/UFL/Getty Images)
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The Browns’ 2025 roster had several former UFL players at different intervals on their squad, including two starters: K Andre Szmyt and LS Rex Sunahara. Other UFLers included TE Sal Cannella, RB Toa Taua, CB Keenan Isaac, and LB Charlie Thomas III.
Former Browns linebacker Tony Fields finished second in the league this year in tackles with 77 while playing for the Columbus Aviators.
There are eight teams in the UFL, and several former Clevelanders are involved in this year’s playoffs.
Orlando Storm (8-2-0)
Average home attendance: 9,830 (#4)
S Nate Meadors
OT Joey Fisher
OT Jason Ivey
Browns S Nate Meadors #35 (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Browns S Nate Meadors #35 (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Diamond Images/Getty Images
It is amazing just how many pro football teams have called Orlando home. But what has happened is that after a few seasons, the league they played in evaporated. So, Orlando fans weren’t exactly slamming down the turnstiles with this new club. The result was a sterling performance and the #1 seed.
Former Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson began the season as their starting quarterback, but was later traded to the Birmingham Stallions, who failed to make the postseason. Jack Plummer took over and led the league in passing yardage while DTR finished #5.
DC Defenders (5-5-0)
Average home attendance: 9,000 (#5)
RB Deon Jackson
K Matt McCrane
DC coach Blake Williams
O-Line coach Brian Braswell
ST/LB coach Jerod Kruse
The defending champs crashed in the second half of the season and barely made the playoffs, losing their final four games after starting the season 5-1-0. But last year, the Defenders made the postseason by one game, then dominated both playoff games to capture the league title.
They feature former Browns’ kicker Matt McCrane, who converted several 60-yard field goals for the new four-point field goal rule and finished #2 in field goal conversions. Another former Browns player, running back Deon Jackson, led the UFL in rushing with 449 yards on 91 attempts. He also had the most rushing TDs with seven.
St. Louis Battlehawks (6-4-0)
Average home attendance: 23,239 (#1)
WR Blake Jackson
OG Javion Cohen
LB Michael Barrett
O-Line Coach Todd Washington
Browns guard Javion Cohen (67) (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Browns guard Javion Cohen (67) (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The City of St. Louis is well aware that when the NFL goes through another round of expansion, they will be listed at the top. Very good showing for the locals. Best crowd was in Week 1 with 31,191 strong.
Former Browns OG Javion Cohen was a player the franchise assumed would become at least a dependable backup when he was listed on Cleveland’s roster. He has cemented the offensive line for the Battlehawks.
Louisville Kings (6-4-0)
Average home attendance: 11,195 (#2)
TE Tre McKitty
DT Josiah Bronson
LB Lonnie Phelps
OT Kellen Diesch
Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Tre’ McKitty (87) catches a pass during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Jun 12, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns tight end Tre’ McKitty (87) catches a pass during mini camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Louisville was one of three new cities for the UFL, and the fans showed up. They played their home games at Lynn Family Stadium, a soccer-specific venue that is home to Louisville City FC of the USLC, and the women’s team Racing Louisville FC of the NWSL.
This club was the remnants of the Memphis Showboats, who finished 2-8-0 in the UFL last year.
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