The 2026 DC Defenders season was the fifth season for the DC Defenders and their third in the UFL. The Defenders were unable to improve from their 6–4 record from last season, where they won the UFL Championship following back-to-back losses to the expansion team Orlando Storm.
On April 11, in their home opener in Week 3, the Defenders set a league record for the largest margin of victory by any team courtesy of crushing the Houston Gamblers by the score of 45–7. In Week 9, the Defenders clinched a playoff berth for the second straight season after the Birmingham Stallions lost to another expansion team, the Columbus Aviators.
After starting the season with a 5–1 record, which saw them on a 5-game winning streak, the Defenders lost star quarterback Jordan Ta'amu to an ACL injury in Week 8, which resulted in a collapse, as they ended the season on a 4-game losing streak to secure their worst record since 2024.
Despite losing to the Storm in their final two games of the season however, they won the UFL Semifinal against the Storm 28–22, giving Storm head coach Anthony Becht an 0–3 all-time record in the playoffs and securing a trip to the United Bowl, against the Louisville Kings, where after leading 16–7 at halftime they fell apart en route to a 27–20 loss.
Offseason Coaching changes On December 15, 2025, Shannon Harris would remain as the head coach of the Defenders. On February 23, 2026, the Defenders announced their full 2026 coaching staff.
Draft
Teams were allowed to protect up to 12 players from their 2025 rosters.
Staff DC Defenders staffHead coach Head coach – Shannon Harris
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Fred Kaiss Quarterbacks – Davis Johnson Wide receivers – Andre Simmons Offensive line – Brian Braswell Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Blake Williams Linebackers/special teams – Jerod Kruse Defensive backs – Vernon Dean Sources:
Roster
Schedule
WeekDayDateKickoffTVOpponentResultsLocationAttendanceScoreRecord 1 Saturday March 28 12:00 p.m. ESPN at St. Louis Battlehawks L 10–16 0–1 The Dome at America's Center 31,191 2 Friday April 3 8:00 p.m. Fox at Columbus Aviators W 44–26 1–1 Historic Crew Stadium 14,810 3 Saturday April 11 12:00 p.m. ESPN Houston Gamblers W 45–7 2–1 Audi Field 12,167 4 Saturday April 18 12:30 p.m. ABC St. Louis Battlehawks W 28–22 3–1 Audi Field 7,940 5 Friday April 24 8:00 p.m. Fox at Birmingham Stallions W 45–28 4–1 Protective Stadium 8,120 6 Saturday May 2 12:00 p.m. ABC Dallas Renegades W 24–6 5–1 Audi Field 7,019 7 Saturday May 9 1:30 p.m. Fox Louisville Kings L 13–30 5–2 Audi Field 7,950 8 Saturday May 16 12:00 p.m. ABC at Louisville Kings L 30–33 5–3 Lynn Family Stadium 10,0259 Friday May 22 8:00 p.m. Fox at Orlando Storm L 19–27 5–4 Inter&Co Stadium 10,594 10 Sunday May 31 12:00 p.m. ABC Orlando Storm L 23–29 5–5 Audi Field 9,924
Game summaries Week 1: at St. Louis Battlehawks
In a rematch of last season's XFL championship, the Defenders opened up their season against the Battlehawks in St. Louis. Unfortunately for DC, the Battlehawks would avenge their loss in the championship game, defeating the Defenders by the score of 16–10, causing the Defenders to start 0–1. Despite the loss, one of the few bright spots for the team, was in the first quarter, when placekicker Matt McCrane succeeded at making the first 60-yard four point field goal in league history.
Week 2: at Columbus Aviators
The Defenders would rebound by defeating the expansion team Aviators 44–26, and moving to 1–1 in the process.
Week 3: vs. Houston Gamblers
For their home opener, the Defenders hosted the Gamblers, who were coming off an upset win over the Stallions the week prior. The Defenders would have a 28–0 lead at the half and would ultimately win 45–7. The 38-point margin marked the largest margin of victory in UFL history, and DC improved to 2–1 with this win.
Week 4: vs. St. Louis Battlehawks
In a rematch of Week 1's game, the teams met each other once again in DC. Things got off to a rough start for DC, as they allowed the Battlehawks to march down the field to tack on the first three points of the game via a 51-yard field goal by kicker Tucker McCann. However, the Defenders managed to outscore the Battlehawks 25–9 to take a 25–12 lead in the fourth quarter, only to allow the Battlehawks to rally by scoring 10 unanswered points in between of Matt McCrane's 39-yard field goal, but St. Louis' comeback attempt fell short and their fate was sealed when backup quarterback Harrison Frost threw an interception to strong safety Sam Kidd at the DC 5-yard line.
With their third straight win, DC is now 3–1 on the season. The Defenders would even the season series with the Battlehawks at 1–1, and would improve to 6–4 all-time against the Battlehawks.
Week 5: at Birmingham Stallions
The Defenders have now won their fourth straight game by beating the Stallions on the road for the first time in franchise history and putting up 45 points for the second time this season. Jordan Ta'amu played very efficient, throwing 4 touchdown passes and the team didn't commit a single turnover, which contributed to the win. DC is now 4–1.
Week 6: vs. Dallas Renegades
Back at home, the Defenders would win their fifth straight game, as they dominated the first half, cruised to a 24–0 halftime lead, and hung on for a 24–6 win over the Renegades, thus improving to 5–1.
Week 7: vs. Louisville Kings
Although the Defenders were favored by 10 points coming into the game, they struggled. After leading 13–3 in the second quarter and 13–10 at halftime, they would have a second half collapse as the Kings would score 27 unanswered points and the Defenders would be shutout in the last two quarters, resulting in a historic upset and dropping DC to 5–2. They were denied a playoff berth, but look to clinch one next week if they win the rematch.
Week 8: at Louisville Kings
The Defenders once again faced the Kings, this time in Louisville. A win for the team would clinch a playoff berth for the second straight season. The Defenders appeared to be headed for that opportunity after Jordan Ta'amu threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Ty Scott to open up the game. However, they once again fell apart, as the Kings would tie it up after Tyler Hudson returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for the touchdown, culminating in a 17–all tie at half. The Defenders got back into position for a playoff berth after entering the fourth quarter with a 24–20, but were outscored 13–6 in the fourth quarter. At the end of the game, Deon Jackson ran for a 3-yard touchdown with 28 seconds left, but failing the 3-point conversion and not getting the 4th & 12 sealed their fate, as they were swept by the Kings and dropped to 5–3.
During the first quarter, Ta'amu left with an injury that kept him out for the final three quarters. Following this game, Shannon Harris announced that he would place him on injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Week 9: at Orlando Storm
The Storm proved to be too much for the Ta'amu-less Defenders, who would wind up losing by the score of 27–19, losing their third straight and dropping to a 5–4 record.
Despite the loss, the Aviators helped the Defenders clinch their second straight playoff berth courtesy of a 36–29 win over the Birmingham Stallions.
Week 10: vs. Orlando Storm
With the loss, not only do the Defenders finish 5–5 by losing their fourth straight game, but with the Kings beating the Aviators that same day, DC was assigned to the 4th seed. Even had they won this game, Louisville would have the head-to-head tiebreaker from Weeks 7 and 8.
Standings
Postseason
WeekDayDateKickoffTVOpponentResultsLocationAttendanceScoreRecord Semifinals Sunday June 7 3:00 p.m. ABC at Orlando Storm W 28–22 1–0 Daytona Stadium 6,317 United Bowl Saturday June 13 3:00 p.m. ABC vs. Louisville Kings L 20–27 1–1 Audi Field 19,023
UFL Semifinals: at Orlando Storm
Having lost their last two games of the season, both of which were against the Storm, the Defenders got to play a rubber match against the same team. This game took place in Daytona Beach due to a scheduling conflict in Orlando.
Unlike the previous two weeks, the Defenders ended up getting the last laugh, leading 14–3 at the end of the first quarter and ultimately hung on for a 28–22 road win that improved their overall record to 6–5 and sent them back to the Championship game.
United Bowl: vs. Louisville Kings
The Defenders were attempting to secure back-to-back championships for the first time since the Birmingham Stallions did so in 2022 and 2023. They were on the verge by doing so as they took a 16–7 lead at the break, but then things unraveled in the second half, as the half would be filled with injuries which would also see the offense allow two rushing touchdowns and allow the Kings to go on a 14–4 scoring run, and a defensive penalty late in the fourth quarter sealed the game for the Kings, while also denying the repeat in a 27–20 loss.
With the devastating collapse, the Defenders fell to 0–3 all-time against the Kings. They will seek to earn their championship next year.
References