Examining Houston Roughnecks’ 2025 Quarterback Situation
Photo via X @XFLRoughnecks
The quarterback room for the Houston Roughnecks went through a major overhaul that will make the competition for the starting job one of the most intriguing entering training camp.
After going 1-9 last season, the Roughnecks had Jarrett Guarantano, Reid Sinnett and Nolan Henderson making starts for the team last year. Sinnett moved on to the European League of Football to play for the Madrid Bravos and Guarantano is now in San Antonio playing for the Brahmas.
Henderson is the only holdover from the 2024 roster as the team has added Jalan McClendon and most recently Anthony Brown. One other quarterback Davius Richard was on the roster until Monday when he was moved to the retired list.
There is a three-way battle for the starting job with the favorite right now seeming to be Brown.
The 26-year-old quarterback has the most NFL experience as he has played for four teams since 2022. That year, he played in two games for the Ravens including one start at quarterback. He threw for 302 yards and two interceptions.
Henderson will be competitive for the job as he knows the Roughnecks’ offensive system the best. He passed for 531 yards, two touchdowns and one interception with 143 rushing yards and one score for Houston last season.
McClendon saw limited time with the D.C. Defenders last season but had played in the XFL the previous two seasons. In his spring football career, he has 1,002 passing yards and five touchdowns to two interceptions. He also rushed for 168 yards and one touchdown.
All three quarterbacks can run the football which makes them great fits for the Roughnecks offense and for the UFL in general. With offensive line play always looking to improve, Houston needs an athletic quarterback who can run out of the pocket to make tough throws.
Brown feels like the logical choice to start based on his NFL experience. Henderson and McClendon have spring football experience and can make a run for the job. It’ll be a tough decision for head coach C.J. Johnson and company to pick the right man for the job, but this situation looks to be in better shape than it was last season.
