Eight quarterbacks, one goal: introducing the signal callers of the AFLE
The American Football League Europe is set to kick off its inaugural season and at the heart of every offense stands a quarterback. From Grey Cup champions to college record breakers, the AFLE’s eight starting quarterbacks bring a diverse and impressive range of experience to the field. Here is a look at the men who will be leading their teams in 2026.
Ben Holmes – Vienna Vikings
Few quarterbacks in European football have made as big an impact as Ben Holmes. Since joining the Vikings the man known as „BenVP“ has been nothing short of outstanding, throwing for 5,390 yards, 74 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions across 22 regular season games. A Grey Cup champion with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022 and a First Team All-Star in 2024, Holmes has led the Vikings to back-to-back championship games and arrives in the AFLE with one goal in mind: finally lifting that title.
Jameson Wang – Wroclaw Panthers
The Panthers have found a true dual-threat in Cornell University product Jameson Wang. In 37 college games he threw for 6,959 yards and 51 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,816 yards and 27 touchdowns, showing the kind of playmaking ability that earned him an NFL Rookie Mini Camp invitation with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025. His European debut with the Frankfurt Galaxy was equally impressive, producing 1,459 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in just five games.
Matthew McKay – Firenze Red Lions
As the first quarterback in Firenze Red Lions history, Matthew McKay carries the responsibility of building an offensive identity from scratch. The 26-year-old dual-threat quarterback most recently played for the Frankfurt Galaxy, completing 221 passes for 2,731 yards and 20 touchdowns while also adding 778 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. He arrives in Florence with familiar faces around him, reuniting with several coaches from his time in Frankfurt.
Evan Hillock – Paris Lights
The Paris Lights made history by becoming the first AFLE franchise to name a Canadian quarterback as their starter. Evan Hillock arrives fresh off a remarkable college career with the Western Mustangs, where he finished as the program’s all-time leader in touchdown passes with 90 and compiled an outstanding 45-6 record as a starter. A national championship MVP and three-time conference champion, Hillock brings a winner’s mentality to the French capital.
Gabriel Cunningham – Alpine Rams
The Alpine Rams have built their offense around the mobility and playmaking ability of 30-year-old dual-threat quarterback Gabriel Cunningham. A well-travelled veteran with experience across Europe and beyond, Cunningham has lined up for clubs in Germany, Hungary, Brazil and the United States throughout his career. His ability to hurt defenses both through the air and on the ground gives offensive coordinator Douglas Fryer plenty of options as the Swiss franchise prepares for its debut season.
Jakeb Sullivan – Berlin Thunder
Continuity is the name of the game for the Berlin Thunder, who have retained Jakeb Sullivan as their QB1 heading into the AFLE. Sullivan has been the heartbeat of the Thunder offense for two seasons and his career numbers across five seasons of European football tell the story of one of the most productive quarterbacks on the continent, with 12,826 passing yards, 121 touchdowns and 49 games of experience. His familiarity with the system and the team gives Berlin a significant advantage heading into the new season.
Kenji Bahar – Rhein Fire
Rhein Fire have handed their offense to 28-year-old Kenji Bahar, who arrives in Europe for the first time after building his reputation in the United States. A standout at Monmouth University where he threw for 9,642 yards and 70 touchdowns and broke multiple school records, Bahar also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens organisation and threw for 2,253 yards across 17 USFL games with the Houston Gamblers. Now he gets the chance to lead one of European football’s most storied franchises into a new era.
Karé Lyles – London Warriors
The London Warriors have given their historic first ever AFLE starting assignment to American quarterback Karé Lyles, a player who has earned his stripes across multiple leagues and countries. After earning First-Team All-Region honors at Scottsdale and gaining college experience at Southern Illinois and Jackson State, Lyles built his European reputation with the New Yorker Lions, throwing 26 touchdown passes against just ten interceptions in one standout season. He is also a threat on the ground, adding six rushing touchdowns to his resume and giving the Warriors a dynamic option under center.
With eight talented and experienced quarterbacks leading the way, the 2026 AFLE season promises to deliver exciting and high-quality football from week one. The race for the Gold Bowl starts here.
