Quarterback Brett Hundley of the Green Bay Packers runs against the Washington Redskins during a preseason game at FedExField on August 19, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Wikimedia Commons)
Now that XFL teams are past the midway point of training camp, each squad has a pretty good idea of what they have at the quarterback position…and what they still need. Over the last few days, we’ve seen teams make big swings to address shortcomings at that spot.
Earlier today, the XFL announced that the Orlando Guardians signed QB Paxton Lynch. Orlando was down to two quarterbacks – Quinten Dormady and Deondre Francois – after releasing Mitch Kidd earlier in camp. Lynch adds much-needed experience to perhaps the least experienced QB room in the league. A former NFL 1st round draft pick, Lynch is only 28 years old and showed in three USFL starts last year that he can still sling it, to the tune of a 65.1% completion percentage, five touchdowns, four interceptions, and a 2-1 record.
Lynch is expected to leap to number one on the depth chart rather quickly. Appearing on The Markcast last week, Guardians QB coach Shane Matthews didn’t sound thrilled with the QB play in camp to that point. Lynch will have just under two weeks to get up to speed before Orlando needs to make their next decision on the position: Final cuts are expected to be announced on or around February 9.
Another former NFL draft pick joined the XFL today as several outlets reported that the Vegas Vipers had acquired Brett Hundley. The XFL has yet to confirm this move. Hundley replaces Bryan Scott on the roster, while Jalan McClendon and Luis Perez remain the other QBs. Selected in the 5th round of the NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers in 2015, Hundley developed into a competent backup with several teams over the last eight years.
With injuries at the QB position, the Baltimore Ravens signed Hundley to the practice squad in early December. A week after Baltimore’s season ended, Hundley’s practice squad contract expired, making him a free agent. In the most extensive playing time of his career, Hundley started nine games in 2017, throwing for nine touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also averaged 7.5 yards per carry on 36 rushes, making him a threat with both his legs and his arm.
Hundley may not have as clear a path to the starting job as Lynch in Orlando: Perez will not go gently into that goodnight. He succeeded Matt McGloin in the third game of the season for the New York Guardians in 2020 and righted the offensive ship for Kevin Gilbride’s squad. He followed that up by throwing for nine touchdowns and one interception for New Jersey in the USFL this past spring. Even if Hundley does win the starting role, it would be to Vegas’s benefit to hold on to a high-quality backup such as Perez.
With about 20 days until kickoff, XFL teams will be looking to upgrade at every position right up until the last minute. Don’t be surprised if more moves are made at quarterback as we get closer to the lights going on for the regular season.
