Why the Alpine Rams could surprise everyone in the AFLE in 2026
The inaugural season of the American Football League Europe is already underway, but the Alpine Rams are only now preparing for their first real test. After a Week 1 bye, the Swiss franchise will finally take the field against Berlin Thunder in Week 2, carrying both excitement and pressure into one of the most anticipated debuts of the new league.
Built around an experienced coaching staff, a mobile quarterback and a roster filled with international talent, the Rams enter the AFLE with genuine ambition. For a first-year organization, the expectations around the team are already surprisingly high.
Quarterback Gabriel Cunningham gives the Alpine Rams a dynamic weapon
The face of the franchise is clearly quarterback Gabriel Cunningham. The 30-year-old dual-threat passer has become the centerpiece of offensive coordinator Douglas Fryer’s system thanks to his mobility, improvisation skills and experience across multiple football cultures.
Cunningham has played in Germany, Hungary, Brazil, Mexico and the United States, giving him one of the most unusual football journeys of any player in the AFLE. His ability to extend plays outside the pocket immediately changes how defenses will approach the Rams offense. The coaching staff surely believes his versatility can create problems both in designed quarterback runs and vertical passing concepts.
The organization has surrounded Cunningham with athletic weapons. Wide receiver Kevin Kaya already set the tone for the team mentality earlier this year when he said, “Nobody’s gonna respect us. We have to earn it.” That quote perfectly reflects the identity the Rams are trying to establish entering their first season.
The offensive line also looks stronger than many expansion teams usually manage to build. Serbian lineman Ilija Krajnovic arrives with American college football experience, while veterans like Otavio Amorim and Thomas LeBoucher add size and stability in protection schemes. The recent signing of French running back Lucas Laroche gives the offense another versatile option in the backfield.
Offensive coordinator Fryer himself arrives with a reputation for aggressive, high-scoring football, and the partnership between coach and quarterback could quickly become one of the most entertaining and surprising combinations in the AFLE.
Joshua Fitzgerald and Everett Withers bring serious coaching experience
Head coach Joshua Fitzgerald carries the difficult task of building chemistry inside a roster featuring players from more than ten nations. Still, the Rams may already possess one of the strongest coaching groups in the league.
Defensive coordinator Everett Withers brings more than three decades of experience from Division I football and the NFL. His arrival immediately gave the franchise credibility around Europe. For a first-year team, having a defensive coach with that background could become a major advantage once the season settles into rhythm.
The Rams have clearly prioritized structure, discipline and physicality from the start. Fitzgerald’s staff is not trying to survive the inaugural season, they are trying to compete immediately.
Defensive playmakers could define the Rams’ first AFLE season
While Cunningham headlines the offense, the defense may ultimately determine how far the Rams can go in 2026.
Defensive back Chad Walrond already embraced a leadership role before playing a single snap for the franchise, declaring: “I’m going to lead by example, every single snap.” That mentality fits perfectly with a defense that features proven European League of Football experience and several high-level imports.
Former NFL and CFL defensive back Ayo Oyelola adds explosiveness and athleticism to the secondary, while Canadian linebacker Harold Miessan strengthens the middle of the field with physical tackling and range in coverage.
Swiss linebacker Timothy Schürmann also delivered one of the most memorable statements during the offseason: “Look out for some big hits.” For fans in Biel, that quote captured exactly what this defense wants to become: aggressive, emotional, and fast.
The Rams’ roster construction suggests the organization understands modern American football. They invested heavily in defensive backs, speed and pass rush depth, which could be crucial against offenses in the AFLE this season.
Week 2 against Berlin Thunder starts a historic chapter
The Rams finally open their season this weekend at Tissot Arena in Biel. Realistically, expansion teams usually need time before becoming title contenders. However, the combination of Cunningham’s playmaking ability, Withers’ defensive leadership and Fitzgerald’s ambitious culture gives the Rams a chance to surprise people immediately.
The AFLE’s inaugural season already feels historic, but the Alpine Rams have an opportunity to become much more than a feel-good expansion story. If the chemistry develops quickly, this could be a playoff-caliber team sooner than many expected.
