DC Defenders wide receiver Brandon Smith (XFL Twitter)
On Monday June 12, 2023, the XFL announced that D.C. Defenders wide receiver Brandon Smith had signed a contract with Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Smith became the 27th XFL player to sign an NFL contract, including nine who earned All-XFL Team honors following the 2023 season, and the second Defenders player, joining punter Daniel Whelan, who signed with the Green Bay Packers.
Brandon Smith, a 6-foot-2 wide receiver, made eight catches for 118 yards and a touchdown in four XFL games with D.C.
Smith spent the last two seasons on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.
To date, 108 invitations have been sent to XFL players for camps or to hold individual workouts with NFL teams since the conclusion of the regular season. Monday, May15 was the first day XFL players could officially sign NFL contracts. If the players return to the XFL, they will resume with their former teams.
