Luis Perez Discusses Preparation for 2025 season and Time in NFL
Image via X @XFLRenegades
The spring football king is back for another season in the UFL; some things are the same and some are not.
Luis Perez has been playing spring football since 2019 in the AAF, jumping between the AAF, XFL, TSL, USFL, and now UFL. As he told the media on Wednesday, he goes through the same routine to prepare for the season as it has been working well.
“It's been going well. A lot of training, a lot of mental work. I have my routine that I've built over the years to stay ready and stay fresh. So I did that and happy to be here and excited to get rolling.”
During the middle of the 2023 XFL season, Perez was traded from the Las Vegas Vipers to the Arlington Renegades as he took over as the starting quarterback. It changed the whole season for Arlington as the Renegades went from one of the worst offenses in the league to one of the top passing units, leading to a XFL title win over the D.C. Defenders after a 4-6 regular season.
Last season in the UFL did not go as well for the Renegades as the team finished with a 3-7 record and at the bottom of the XFL Conference. Perez discussed how the mindset going into training camp is much different from how it was in 2023.
“I think our mindset is a little bit different coming in this year than it was last year. Last year, we were defending champs, and for whatever reason, we weren't fine in on the details. I think this year, the big thing is Coach Stoops and all the coaches were really harboring on details because details win games. One or three plays in every game, really determine the game. I think details is everything.”
Last season’s struggles can’t be put on Perez as he finished as the league’s leader in passing yards (2,307) and passing touchdowns (18). The Renegades’ offense was ranked second in total offense, averaging 311.9 yards per game.
A significant contribution to that was Perez’s comfortability in Chuck Long’s offense as the two are now back working together for a third year. That familiarity in the offense is considerable for Perez as he feels the chemistry of the offense gelling together.
“They're great. All the guys are coming back from last year. I'm real comfortable with all those guys. I thought they did a great job today, one-on-one, seven-on-seven, and team periods. They did a great job. This is going on year three on the offense, so especially a top player I am, that's huge for me being able to know where everybody's at and get comfortable with each individual and their routes and concepts. So it's been good. I'm excited.”
After the UFL season last year, Perez was invited to join the Los Angeles Chargers in training camp. He completed 18 of 32 passes for 149 yards in two games. That was not enough for him to win a spot on the roster as the Chargers released him at the end of training camp.
For Perez, it was a dream come true to put on the powder blue and yellow uniform, but it hasn’t stopped him from pursuing his dream of playing football and in the NFL.
“Getting released is always tough, especially for me. San Diego is home for me. I grew up a Charger fan my whole life. I know they're in LA now, but that was my team growing up. It was a dream come true, being able to play for the Chargers. And like you said, unfortunately, it didn't work out for whatever reason. But yeah, I'm just going to continue to keep on playing, keep on playing the UFL. As long as those questions that I ask myself every year, if the answer is yes, I'm going to keep playing.”
The Renegades open the season at home in Arlington on March 29, when they will face the San Antonio Brahmas at 3:00 p.m. CST on FOX.
