Houston Roughneck running back Max Borghi (right) next to quarterback Brandon Silvers (left).
On Friday December 16, 2023, XFL’s Houston Roughnecks announced the release of several key players from their 2023 XFL season.
Is Houston preparing for its demise? This is the likely scenario. With the upcoming finalization of the merger between the USFL and XFL, there are two teams in Houston, the USFL’s Gamblers and the XFL’s Roughnecks. It seems logical that only one team would survive the merger.
Many of the players released, such as Charles Wiley, Derick Robertson and Raleigh Texada, were integral parts of one of the best defenses in the 2023 XFL.
Quarterback Cole McDonald was assigned to the Roughnecks on November 15, 2022. Beginning the 2023 season as a backup, he was eventually promoted to starter. McDonald passed for 437 yards, with 36 completions on 58 attempts, two touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 regular season games. A dual threat, he also rushed 45 times for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
On Friday, we also learned that Houston running back Max Borghi had been picked up by the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks. Borghi rushed for 310 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Roughnecks in 2023.
Roughnecks 1 of the best XFL teams they deserve better. Gamblers have never even sniffed Houston air nevermind represented my city. This is a HUGE mistake XFL/USFL. This is why you lose the fans. It’s not the product it’s not the TV channels it’s not even the 50-50 chance of playing a full season. It’s you keep jerking us around without ever genuinely considering what the fans actually want you just think we are going to fall in line n spend our time and $ on whatever corporate suits decide to vomit up. Good luck building the Gamblers name I’m out.
Pretty damn stupid to get rid of the Roughnecks when the gamblers have never played here in Houston !
Roughnecks 1 of the best XFL teams they deserve better. Gamblers have never even sniffed Houston air nevermind represented my city. This is a HUGE mistake XFL/USFL. This is why you lose the fans. It’s not the product it’s not the TV channels it’s not even the 50-50 chance of playing a full season. It’s you keep jerking us around without ever genuinely considering what the fans actually want you just think we are going to fall in line n spend our time and $ on whatever corporate suits decide to vomit up. Good luck building the Gamblers name I’m out.
bye.