Did the Firenze Red Lions find their identity for next season?
The Firenze Red Lions may still be searching for their first win, but their Week 13 performance against Rhein Fire offered a glimpse of what this young American Football League Europe franchise can become. Despite a 66–14 defeat, Florence showed what they can do offensively and gave its fans a reason to believe the project can grow in 2027.
Firenze Red Lions shock Rhein Fire with explosive opening drive
The Red Lions could hardly have scripted a better opening. Quarterback Armani Edden connected with wide receiver Brandon Belgrave for a spectacular 59-yard touchdown, putting Firenze on the scoreboard first and briefly stunning one of the AFLE’s strongest teams.
Edden finished with 265 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Belgrave was his standout target with eight receptions for 135 yards and the opening 59-yard score. The Red Lions added another touchdown before halftime, with Edden finding Mali Harris-Strayhorn from 10 yards out.
The foundation for the 2027 season
For the Red Lions, this season has always been about building a franchise from the ground up. The organization entered 2026 as a new AFLE team, with John Leijten now serving as head coach and defensive coordinator and Paul Wulff is responsible for the offense, this team has something to build on.
The results have been difficult, but recent performances have shown flashes of progress. After a 42–45 thriller against the Alpine Rams a few weeks back, the Red Lions demonstrated against opponents that their offense can create explosive plays.
At 0–11, the record leaves little to celebrate statistically. Yet the bigger story may be identity. If Firenze can develop its young talent, strengthen the roster and build around players such as Edden and Belgrave going forward, Week 13 could ultimately be remembered as another step toward a more competitive Red Lions team in 2027.
