After completing their 4th season in franchise history fresh of their first championship the D.C. Defenders go into the “fluid off-season” with Shannon Harris now fully invested (kind of) as their head coach for the 2026 season. The Defenders went 6-4 during the 2025 regular season delivering a playoff win against the St. Louis Battlehawks, and a 58-34 victory against the Michigan Panthers in the UFL championship.
UFL to NFL:
| Position | Name | UFL Team | NFL Team | Signed | Cut |
| T | Yasir Durant | DC | NE | 6/23/2025 | Still Rostered |
| WR | Seth Williams | DC | LV | 7/22/2025 | 8/10/2025 |
| G | Liam Fornadel | DC | NYJ | 7/29/2025 | Still Rostered |
| WR | Braylon Sanders | DC | WAS | 8/1/2025 | 8/25/2025 |
| RB | Deon Jackson | DC | DET | 8/10/2025 | 8/26/2025 |
| CB | Michael Ojemudia | DC | DAL | 8/18/2025 | 8/26/2025 |
| T | Mason Brooks | DC | MIA | 8/18/2025 | 8/26/2025 |
| T | Gunner Britton | DC | DET | 8/10/2025 | 8/26/2025 |
| WR | Cornell Powell | DC | HOU | 8/19/2025 | 8/26/2025 |
The Defenders have seen nine players earn NFL contracts this signing cycle. Only Liam Fornadel and Yasir Durant have remained on a roster with Durant being placed on injured reserve. None of their cut players have been brought back to NFL squads so far at the half point of the NFL season.
Current Free Agents:
| QB | Jordan Ta’amu | DC |
| QB | Mike DiLiello | DC |
| RB | Darius Hagans | DC |
| WR | Chris Rowland | DC |
| TE | Briley Moore | DC |
| OL | Jarrid Williams | DC |
| OL | Mike Maietti | DC |
| DL | Niles Scott | DC |
| EDGE | Andre Mintze | DC |
| EDGE | Malik Fisher | DC |
| LB | Momo Sanogo | DC |
| LB | Anthony Hines | DC |
| LB | Ferrod Gardner | DC |
| DB | Deandre Baker | DC |
| DB | Sam Kidd | DC |
| DB | Isaiah Johnson | DC |
| DB | Montae Nicholson | DC |
| P | Paxton Brooks | DC |
| LS | Trae Berry | DC |
With UFL free agency in full swing, the Defenders currently have 19 players from the 2025 squad free to sign with the other seven UFL teams. Several of the above-mentioned players have been with D.C. since 2023. The Defenders have seen massive turnover since their return especially in 2023 when they saw over 10 players retire.
Early Retirement and Departures:
The Defenders ironically have not seen any premature retirements compared to years past. They have seen All-UFL Defensive Lineman Joe Wallace sign with the Toronto Argonauts after the UFL season after three seasons with D.C.
Who is coming back on Offense:
Quarterback:
The Defenders have not signed any quarterbacks so far this off-season, with all eyes being turned to if Jordan Ta’amu returns for another season in pro football. Ta’amu has been a mainstay in spring football since 2020, however hasn’t earned an NFL opportunity since 2023. Mike DiLiello also remains unsigned as he would be going into his 3rd season in professional football. DiLiello saw extended action in 2025 starting the Defenders last game of the season. Spencer Sanders is under contract, however, has yet to announce his official return. It is worth noting he played in two games during the regular season for D.C. at Wide Receiver and special teams.
Running Back:
The Defenders saw Deon Jackson take the majority of their snaps even with a healthy Abram Smith in 2025. Jackson earned an NFL contract with the Lions, while Smith is returning for his 4th season with the team.
Wide Receiver:
The Defenders have been a pipeline for the NFL with sending over 10 receivers to NFL contracts since 2023. This year the team sent Braylon Sanders, Cornell Powell, and Seth Williams, and have re-signed Ty Scott (who earned a contact/practice squad opportunity with the Seahawks in 2024). Javon Antonio and Jaydon Mickens remain unsigned.
Offensive Line:
The Defenders have signed two 2nd year players in Tykeem Doss and Johari Branch. Doss started all 10 regular season games for Defenders in 2025, with Branch starting three games due to injuries. The team will have to figure out if they will “run-it-back” with Mason Brooks, and Gunnar Britton who remain unsigned after their NFL stints. 3-year center Mike Maietti is a free agent who has yet to sign as well. A big question mark as well will be if Liam Fornadel returns if unsigned to a futures deal. Fornadel is currently on the practice squad for the New York Jets, after spending 2024 with the New England Patriots on their practice squad.
Tight End:
Briley Moore remains unsigned after three seasons with the team. The Defenders have signed Mason Fairchild (2nd year), and Ben Bresnahan (3rd year).
Who is coming back on Defense:
Defensive Line:
Devonnsha Maxwell (2nd year), Dennis Johnson (3rd year), and Derick Roberson (3rd year) make up the initial wave of players returning in 2026. Roberson earned All-UFL honors in 2025 with 5.5 sacks. Key pieces like Andre Mintze and Malik Fisher remain unsigned who are veteran leaders on the team.
Linebacker:
Reserve Linebacker Brian Abraham has resigned for his second season with the team. Veterans Anthony Hines, Momo Sanogo, and Ferrod Gardner all veterans have not been signed and are all under 28 years old.
Defensive Backs:
Going into his 4th spring season is Bryce Thompson whose been with the Seattle Sea Dragons, the San Antonio Brahmas, and D.C. Defenders. Thompson started nine games for D.C. in 2025. The Defenders have also resigned All-XFL Safety Deontay Anderson who is in his 4th spring football season, started his career with the Vegas Vipers in 2023, coming out of the University of Houston in 2022.
Specialist:
Matt McCrane returns for his 5th spring football season and his 8th season in professional football. McCrane spent several weeks with the Lions last year on their practice squad and earned UFL Special Teams Player of the Week in week one. Paxton Brooks remains unsigned as does Trae Berry both of which have been with the team for multiple seasons.
Final Thoughts:
The Defenders currently have 12 players under contract with LOI’s signed for the 2026 season. With UFL rosters expected to be between 60 and 70 players for training camp the Defenders still have plenty of additional pieces to add to their team. Fresh off ripping the “interim” tag off Shannon Harris is no longer the “doorman” in D.C. and with a roster built by Von Hutchins (who is technically no longer with the team), has full autonomy over his team moving forward. The UFL is set to begin in 2026 it’s third season March 27th.
