Kings Turn to Rogers as Reed, Renegades Await
by Ethan Berch
ARLINGTON, TX – April 23, 2026 – Following their first victory in franchise history, the Kings head on the road for a tough test against the 3-1 Dallas Renegades to wrap up Week Five. There’s a new face in Louisville’s quarterback room, while Dallas counters with one of the league’s most productive passers under center.
Storylines to watch:
Louisville Kings
Following their first win in franchise history in Week Four, the Kings made a massive move, dealing away starting quarterback Jason Bean and acquiring Mike DiLiello.
Despite the addition, head coach Chris Redman has named Chandler Rogers the starter for Week Five. Rogers saw action in Week Two against Orlando, throwing for 152 yards with an interception.
Rogers will have no shortage of weapons. Both Lucky Jackson and Isaiah Winstead rank among the league’s most productive receivers. Jackson sits sixth with 207 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Winstead is right behind him with 205.
Louisville hasn’t just moved the ball through the air, they’ve done it with chunk plays. The pressure will be on the passing attack to generate explosive plays once again.
The biggest question mark remains the run game. The Kings rank last in the league at just 45.3 rushing yards per game, becoming a largely one-dimensional offense because of it. Against a Dallas defense that thrives on takeaways, establishing any presence on the ground will be critical.
Defensively, Louisville’s strength lies in its pass rush. The Kings lead the UFL in tackles for loss, powered by Cam Gill, who leads the league with 5.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Gill is backed by a productive front seven. Jaheim Thomas leads the league with 32 tackles, while Keaton Ellis ranks fourth with 26. This group will look to keep pressure on Dallas quarterback Austin Reed and force him into mistakes.
However, stopping the run has been an issue. Louisville is allowing 119 rushing yards per game, enabling opponents to sustain drives and control possession.
Dallas Renegades
Dallas wrapped up a grueling stretch of three games in 11 days, a run that ended in their first loss of the season, a 28-14 defeat to Columbus.
Fatigue was evident, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Now, with nine days between games, the Renegades enter Week Five rested and reset.
Offensively, everything runs through Austin Reed. He leads the league in passing yards (907), passing touchdowns (11), and total offense, while throwing just two interceptions on the season.
Dallas goes as Reed goes. He’s connected with five different receivers for touchdowns, showcasing both production and versatility in the passing game.
At the center of it all is Tyler Vaughns, the most productive receiver in the UFL. Vaughns leads the league in receiving yards (390), receptions (28), and receiving touchdowns (4), serving as Reed’s go-to target in all situations.
Defensively, the Renegades took a step back in Week Four, surrendering over 200 rushing yards in the loss to Columbus. The short turnaround played a role, but the extended rest should allow this unit to rebound.
Even with that performance, Dallas ranks third in the league in total defense (277 yards allowed per game) and scoring defense (20.8 points per game).
In the secondary, Shaun Wade has been a standout. He leads the league with nine passes defended and has recorded three interceptions this season. Up front, JT Tyler has been a force, totaling 27 tackles, third most in the league.
With added rest and a favorable matchup against a new quarterback, Dallas’ defense will look to bounce back in a big way.
This also marks Dallas’ final game at Toyota Stadium this season.
X-Factor:
Can Louisville’s pass rush, led by Cam Gill, disrupt Austin Reed before he gets into rhythm? And on the other side, what will the Kings get out of Chandler Rogers?
If he can protect the football and capitalize on his weapons, Louisville has a chance to keep pace.