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There’s a king in the nation’s capital, and he’s a former Carolina Panthers quarterback.
The United Football League held its second-ever championship game on Saturday night, with the XFL Conference’s DC Defenders squaring off against the USFL Conference’s Michigan Panthers. Coming out on top, to the tune of a dominant 58-34 victory, were the Defenders—led by quarterback Jordan Ta’amu.
If you’re a Panthers fan and don’t recognize the name, we don’t blame you. Ta’amu had half a cup of coffee in Carolina at the end of the 2021 campaign, as he signed with the team on Dec. 30 and was released just a five days later on Jan 4.
The Panthers were Ta’amu’s fifth NFL team to that point. He also, beginning in 2019, picked up stints with the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Washington Football Team and Minnesota Vikings.
Saturday night’s win capped off a special 2025 season for Ta’amu, who led the UFL with 17 passing touchdowns—eight more than the next closest quarterback. He finished his championship-clinching performance having completed 21 of his 28 throws for 390 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions while rushing for 28 more yards and another score.
Ta’amu is now the second former Panthers quarterback to win a UFL title in as many years, joining 2022 third-round pick Matt Corral, who was a part of the 2024 champion Birmingham Stallions. DC’s roster also featured four other former Panthers—offensive lineman Mason Brooks, wide receiver Jaydon Mickens and cornerbacks Willie Drew and Kiondre Thomas.
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