The Renegades are now seeing their 2nd player retiring this off-season. After seeing Garrett McGhin retire after seven professional seasons, Quarterback Holton Ahlers also announced his retirement via his social media/podcast.
Ahlers spent Two seasons with the Renegades, after spending part of 2023 with the Seattle Seahawks. Ahlers was utilized as a change of pace QB, during the Renegades “jumbo” package. Ahlers scored 2 touchdowns (1 passing, 1 rushing) in limited reps this season.
While Ahlers wasn’t the impact player on the field many hoped he would be, his retirement could provide foreshadowing if the league does not progress towards the future. The ability to nurture, develop, and showcase players like Ahlers is what this league strives to do, and in a sense Ahlers was failed by the UFL.
The Renegades were the only team in 2025 to not start multiple QBs this season, and while the ultimate goal of any organization is to play competitive football, for a full 10 games the Renegades were eliminated from playoff contention in week 8. Ahlers received no additional playing time, while QB3 Luke Lehnen did not appear in any games this year.
On his podcast, Ahlers stated that while he is extremely passionate about football, the goal of starting a family and having a business is more pressing, declining to return to the Renegades in 2026. The Renegades now have an opportunity for a new face at Quarterback with Ahlers retiring. With Ahlers not returning it could be insinuated that incumbent Luis Perez will be returning for 2026 as of right now.
1 Comment
by Ken Granito
I feel Holton Ahlers’ retirement means little to the league bi picture-wise. You always have to remember that 62,000 is a decent salary, but if you can make that at home with your wife and kids, it’s a viable option that someone might retire. Since it looks like the league is not expanding there really won’t be a need for that many players available. Since it is not your writing style to overreact, I wonder if you are intimating that many players are going to start thinking this way.