Paris Musketeers: Aiming for championship glory in 2025
After a heartbreaking semifinal exit in 2024, the Paris Musketeers enter the 2025 European League of Football (ELF) season with renewed determination. Bolstered by high-profile signings and a revamped coaching staff, the French franchise is poised to transform last year’s near-miss into a championship run.
NFL Pedigree: Jack Del Rio takes the helm
Raiders coach Jack Del Rio talks with an official in the first half of a game against the Chiefs in 2017. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Musketeers made the offseason’s most intriguing move by hiring former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio. With 26 years of NFL experience, including stints leading the Jacksonville Jaguars and Washington Commanders, Del Rio brings a wealth of tactical knowledge and championship-level expectations. His task is to refine Paris’ raw talent into a disciplined, clutch-performing squad. Players have already praised his detail-oriented approach, signaling a culture shift aimed at overcoming last season’s playoff hurdles. Del Rio’s leadership could be the final piece in unlocking the team’s full potential.
A new era at quarterback
Photo: @nellyeloip
Paris faces its first season without Zach Edwards, the 2024 ELF Offensive Player of the Year whose heroics nearly propelled the team to the Championship Game. Replacing him is Jaylon Henderson, a dynamic quarterback fresh off a dominant campaign with the Potsdam Royals in the German Football League. Henderson’s staggering 5,202 passing yards and 91 touchdowns in 15 games in 2024 showcase his ability to elevate an offense. Under Del Rio’s guidance, his dual-threat versatility and composure under pressure could make Paris’ attack even more explosive.
Weapons galore: A receiver corps primed to shine
Photo: © Maxime Le Pihif
Henderson inherits an embarrassment of riches in the passing game. Veterans Anthony Mahoungou and Remi Bertellin return alongside Austin Mitchell, whose breakout 2024 season established him as one of the ELF’s most electrifying playmakers. With extensions for Cheikou Sow and Hugo Tekedam, Paris’ receiver depth is unmatched. The Mitchell-Henderson connection, in particular, could terrorize defenses, blending Mitchell’s route precision with Henderson’s pinpoint accuracy.
Defensive reinforcements: Building a wall
University of Texas San Antonio DL Lamonte McDougle
The Musketeers’ defense added firepower to offset the retirement of linebacker Dauson Dales. Disruptive defensive tackle Lamonte McDougle joins an already formidable line, bringing agility and power to amplify Paris’ pass rush. His presence will stifle opposing ground attacks and force quarterbacks into hurried decisions—a critical asset in Del Rio’s defensive scheme.
Navigating a gauntlet schedule
The road to the title won’t be easy. Paris faces 2024 semifinalists Rhein Fire, Stuttgart Surge, and Vienna Vikings, plus a resurgent Frankfurt Galaxy—the 2021 champions hungry to reclaim glory. Each matchup will test the team’s revamped roster and mental fortitude.
Title aspirations within reach
With Del Rio’s leadership, Henderson’s arm, Mitchell’s explosiveness, and McDougle’s tenacity, the pieces are in place for a historic season. If chemistry clicks early, Paris has the talent to not only reach its first Championship Game but to lift the trophy. The Musketeers’ 2025 campaign isn’t just about redemption—it’s about legacy.
