The XFL makes its anticipated return on Saturday, with commissioner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s football league returning from a three-year hiatus.
With the NFL all wrapped up for the 2022-23 season, the XFL will give football fans a chance to enjoy the sport as the pros switch over offseason combines, free agent signings and draft prep.
Do you need help on knowing who the teams are? Are there players yous might recognize from the NFL? What does this all amount to in the end?
The XFL has always had a rocky history since the days it was founded by Vince McMahon in 2001. However, Johnson and company will hope this iteration of the semi-pro league will stick around and put down roots with football fans.
Let’s take a look at the things you need to know ahead of Saturday’s kickoffs.
How many teams are there?
The XFL has eight teams in its two divisions.
In the North Division, you’ll find the DC Defenders, the Seattle Sea Dragons, the St. Louis BattleHawks and the Vegas Vipers.
In the South Division, you’ll find the Arlington Renegades, Houston Roughnecks, the Orlando Guardians and the San Antonio Brahmas.
Who are the coaches?
The XFL’s eight coaches are all recognizable names from various corners of the football universe.
- Former NFL coach Wade Phillips leads the Houston Roughnecks.
- Former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Hines Ward leads the San Antonio Brahmas.
- Former Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops leads the Arlington Renegades.
- Former Baltimore Ravens defender Rod Woodson leads the Vegas Vipers.
- Former NFL coach Jim Haslett leads the Seattle Sea Dragons.
- Former Jacksonville Jaguar Reggie Barlow leads the DC Defenders.
- Former New York Jet Anthony Becht leads the St. Louis BattleHawks.
- Former New England Patriot Terrell Buckley leads the Orlando Guardians.
Who are the notable players?
There are a handful of former NFL players that are giving their playing days a second shot in the XFL. Some of them were drafted to their respective teams last year.
Those names include:
- Former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley (Vegas Vipers)
- Former Cleveland Browns wideout Josh Gordon (Seattle Sea Dragons)
- Former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Martavis Bryant (Vegas Vipers)
- Former Green Bay Packers wideout Geronimo Allison (Vegas Vipers)
- Former Denver Broncos quarterback Paxton Lynch (Orlando Guardians)
- Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Hundley (Vegas Vipers)
- Former Baltimore Ravens safety Matt Elam (Orlando Guardians)
- Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyle Sloter (Arlington Renegades)
- Former Oakland Raiders punter Marquette King (Arlington Renegades)
- Former Denver Broncos wideout Cody Latimer (Orlando Guardians)
- Former Ole Miss quarterback Jordan Ta’amu (DC Defenders)
- Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Ben DiNucci (Seattle Sea Dragons)
- Former Oakland Raiders defensive tackle P.J. Hall (Seattle Sea Dragons)
- Former Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron (St. Louis BattleHawks)
- Former Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill (St. Louis BattleHawks)
- Former Oakland Raiders running back Rod Smith (Vegas Vipers)
- Former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cre’Von LeBlanc (Arlington Renegades)
- Former Cleveland Browns linebacker Duke Ejiofor (Houston Roughnecks)
- Former Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald (Houston Roughnecks)
- Former Miami Dolphins running back Kalen Ballage (San Antonio Brahmas)
- Former Jacksonville Jaguars safety Will Hill (Arlington Renegades)
- Former Denver Broncos cornerback DeVante Bausby (Arlington Renegades)
- Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Kentrell Brice (DC Defenders)
- Former Oakland Raiders wideout Marcell Ateman (St. Louis BattleHawks)
How long does the XFL season go?
The XFL season lasts 10 weeks, starting on Saturday, Feb. 18.
The two semifinal games will be played Saturday, April 29, and Sunday, April 30.
The championship game will be played Saturday, May 13.
Visit the XFL’s website for a full schedule.
What channels will air XFL games?
The XFL will broadcast on various Disney-owned channels, like ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and FX.
The championship game will air on ABC.
Visit the XFL website for a full list of broadcasting homes.
How about the uniforms?
We ranked all eight of the XFL uniforms last December.
You can watch the jersey unveiling for all teams below.
Now presenting our 2023 uniforms, live on @SportsCenter!@UnderArmour | #XFL2023 pic.twitter.com/BPRZREQj0j
— XFL (@XFL2023) December 7, 2022
How do salaries work for XFL players?
Our Christian D’Andrea did a dive on the compensation system for XFL players. Here’s what he found.
“Per XFL News Hub, XFL players in 2023 will make:
- $800 per week of training camp
- $5,000 each week of the regular season (10 weeks)
- A $1,000 bonus for each win
- Unknown bonus amounts for playoff wins
“Players in the XFL can also be compensated above and beyond this base scale.”
What was good about the XFL when it was first on?
The XFL gave football fans a chance to see players like P.J. Walker go off for highlight after highlight and provided us moments like this outrageous Cardale Jones fumble recovery.
The XFL antics aren’t weighed down by NFL regulations. Expect hard seltzer celebrations, cold Gatorade baths and a possible return for the infamous DC Defenders beer snake.
Our Charles Curtis did a list of reasons why the XFL’s 2020 would be missed.
Former FTW editor Nick Schwartz wrote an obituary for the league when it closed down in 2020.
And what are the XFL rules again?
Our primer on the XFL vs. NFL rules should get you caught up to speed on all the little differences between the two leagues.
Here are some big differences that you’ll immediately notice, according to former FTW writer Nick Schwartz:
- There are no extra point kicks in the XFL. Rather, there are possibilities for 1-point, 2-point and 3-point plays after the touchdown is scored.
- There aren’t any coaches challenges in the XFL.
- There is a running clock outside of the final two minutes of the second and fourth quarters. The play clock is 25 seconds.
- Each team gets two timeouts a half. Halftime is 10 minutes.
- Kickoffs and punts are very different from what you’re used to in the NFL.
- Overtime rules are more shootout-style than what are found in the NFL.
