Daryl Johnston Discusses UFL Talent and Player Labor Dispute

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With so many questions surrounding the future of the UFL and the players within the league in 2025, the leadership group appears to be all focused on getting the season started while taking care of the players.

Executive vice president of football operations Daryl Johnston was on hand during the Arlington Renegades-Houston Roughnecks joint practice on Saturday, observing the action. Johnston was seen in the huddle of the running back group listening in on what the coaches were saying, suggesting that he is taking a very hands-on approach to developing the players.

I had a chance to interview Johnston after the practice to ask him a variety of questions surrounding the talent level of the players in 2025, having a full offseason to prepare for the next year, and the all-important topic of the player labor dispute.

Thoughts on Renegades-Roughnecks Practice

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The first question was surrounding his thoughts on how Saturday’s practice went from Johnston’s perspective and he gave praise to Renegades head coach Bob Stoops and Roughnecks head coach Curtis Johnson for running a smooth, productive practice.

“It's good work. It's up-tempo, it's crisp. There's a physicality to it, but it's not over the top. It doesn't seem like there's ever a chance where an injury could happen, a fight could break out. So it's just a credit to Curtis and Bob for the way they approach this and the conversations they have leading up to practice. And this is what we're doing here today. Let's get some good work, no nonsense. And they come out here and they have a really nice practice, and they got better. So it's impressive to watch it.”

UFl Talent in 2025 Versus 2024

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We then dove deeper into his thoughts on the talent level with the UFL compared to this year. Johnston saw an improvement in player talent as well as coaches.

“I think the big thing is with the merger last year, there was a big uptick. I think the progress this year is us continuing to build trust with the agents and the players and really some of our coaches, too. To have Marc Columbo and Tom Cable come into the UFL family this year is a huge statement for us of the caliber of coaches that we can put around people. So I'm anxious to see how the league looks this year from a talent standpoint.”

“So we to continue to develop that trust and belief in the guys that this is an alternative, a nontraditional alternative to getting back into the NFL.”

Johnston’s thoughts on three UFL Teams

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Johnston singled out St. Louis Battlehawks quarterback Max Duggan and wide receiver Andy Isabella as two examples of the new talent brought into the UFL. That same Battlehawks team received praise from Johnston for having a big offseason.

“St. Louis has probably had the best offseason with signings and getting better and bringing back the key guys from their team last year. If they've But if they've got the quarterback play settled, then that's going to be a tough team. So we'll find out.”

Another team Johnston talked about was the DC Defenders and being honest that he doesn’t know what the league will get from them.

“And then I really feel the one I don't have a great pulse on is DC. Just because of the up and down, two years ago, nine and one last year, they had a bumpy season. Where are they at this year? Well, they have to go against Birmingham Week 1 at home. So we'll find out about DC.”

One last team he talked about was the Memphis Showboats and how much of a change he has seen with new head coach Ken Whisenhunt running the show.

“The culture at Memphis is now, instead of the old-school grind and long hour of getting ready for the game, it's up-tempo, crisp, let's get our good work in and get off the field and make sure we're fresh for the next practice. There's a big change in the culture in Memphis. I'm interested see how that fits. Ken is really good. But that's probably when you walk into a practice environment, as big as the organizational component is with Houston, when you walk into Memphis, it's just It's uplifting. He's created a really, really positive atmosphere there.”

Importance of Full Offseason for UFL

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The third question was around the league having a full offseason to prep for the season. Last year, the XFL and USFL combined forces to merge as the UFL in January of 2024. They set their sights on playing in March of 2024, giving them less than three months to prepare for the season. I asked Johnston how important it was for the league to have a full offseason to have everything lined up for the 2025 season.

“I think for us because the focus was going to be on the football side, and we have such good people that are a part of our family that even for us, it was challenging, but we were very, very confident that we were going to be able to get it done. I think the biggest thing for us is, like you said, having that traditional offseason cadence with a full calendar year on the business side, into sponsorships, into marketing, into ticketing, and Russ Brandon really having the opportunity to build that part of the league the way he wanted to last but just didn't have the time. I think this is really the first year coming into the season that we've got everything where we want to. And then next year will be great once the season ends and be able to go back with an after-action and just take a look at how everything worked for us and where do we need to get better, where are some areas where we can grow. I think that this is going to be an exciting offseason for us. As much as last year's was important, I think this one's going to be exciting.”

Comments on Player Labor Dispute & Fan Concerns

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My final question to Johnston was about the player labor dispute and fans’ concerns about the 2025 season happening with potential threats of a walkout and the league having another season after that. Last week, the United Football Players Association, the labor union for the players in the UFL, filed unfair labor practices charges against the league. The charges included the Showboats allegedly releasing Quinten Dormady because he helped push labor activities during training camp.

Johnston reassured his confidence that the season would go smoothly and that the league’s future was solid.

“Every labor negotiation has its challenges, and we're going through that process right now. But both parties have negotiated in good faith, and we're trying to get to the common ground, but we just have different opinions on where that common ground is. So we'll continue to grind at it. I don't feel like there's any major concern that we won't kick off on March 28th, Friday night in Houston. It's just when we come out here and you walk around the players, they're grateful for the opportunities. They're focused on football. They're the same as we are. It's in the background. There's noise in the background. And let's just take care of what we can control and what we're supposed to be taking care of. So it continues to trend in a way that's positive. I know from the outside, looking in, you hear, you always hear the negative things that are going on because that's tactical and strategy. But inside, everybody knows how important it is for this season to launch on the date that we set it and to be able to go through the season, not worrying about anything but football.”