Helvetic Mercenaries: From nobody to contender?
Florian Puth
© ELF photomontage/IMAGOWith our new article series on our website, we want to introduce all of the sixteen European League of Football franchises for the 2025 season and what they are made of. We take a look at the top stars every fan needs to know. Today we explore the Helvetic Mercenaries, who are coming off a difficult 2024 season.
In the ELF, the Helvetic Mercenaries took the place of the Swiss team Helvetic Guards. They finished their debut season with a record of 1:11. This resulted in last place in the Central Conference. The front office has made significant investments to ensure that this does not happen again next season.
Dual-Threat danger Isaiah Weed
Isaiah Weed has already shown that he can be a good quarterback with the Cologne Centurions. Weed is a so-called "dual-threat quarterback". This means he can not only throw, but is also strong on his feet.
This makes him more difficult for the opposing defense to predict. If you take the pass away from Weed, he can still get yards with the running game. If the O-line manages to give their new signal caller enough time, he can hurt the opposing defense. Top receivers should also support him - and the Mercenaries now have them.
New QB1 in the house: Isaiah Weed ©Kevin Reuss.
NFL-Veteran Keelan Cole signs with Mercenaries
It was one of the top moves this offseason. NFL veteran Keelan Cole moved to the European League of Football. The 31-year-old wide receiver played six years in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders.
Accordingly, he trained at the top level for years. He played a total of 93 games in which he caught 2832 yards and 14 touchdowns. Cole can become a real weapon for the Mercenaries. One that was missing last season, when the Mercenaries had to put almost all of their offensive power on the shoulders of a rookie receiver. Cole may be a game changer.
NFL-Veteran Keelan Cole ©IMAGO.
Homegrown Top-Receiver Milan Spiller
Milan Spiller has not been in the European League of Football for very long. But the 20-year-old was able, to make a name for himself in just one season. The wideout delivered, catching 63 passes for 1008 yards and five touchdowns. Breaking the 1,000-yard mark in his rookie season is impressive. At the end of the season, the young Swiss was honored accordingly.
Spiller player was named 2024 ELF Rookie of the Year. To the joy of the fans, he extended his contract this offseason. He will therefore remain with the Mercenaries, who are likely to have even greater expectations of him in the upcoming season. Together with Keenan Cole, he can help the receiver room to great strength.
2024 ELF ROTY: Milan Spiller ©Noa Monn.
Aleksi Närhi: Finish powerhouse for the O-Line
To protect their quarterback sufficiently, the Mercenaries have added a finish powerhouse to their O-line. Aleksi Närhi signed with the team from Switzerland. The 23-year-old has already spent a lot of time in the Finnish Maple League. He became champion with the Helsinki Roosters in 2024. Närhi impresses above all with his strength and good handwork.
New O-Lineman: Aleksi Närhi ©privat/Aleksi Närhi.
New defensive cornerstone De'Marco Artis?
The defensive line has also been strengthened. A-import De'Marco Artis is another powerhouse coming to Switzerland. After spending the previous two seasons in Finland, the experienced international professional makes his first appearance in the ELF. Playing for the Wasa Royals, the D-Liner had an incredible 2023 season, setting the league record with 12 sacks, 44 tackles, and 17 tackles for a loss.
In addition to international experience, he also has some from US college. The 25-year-old started at Division one college Baylor. He later transferred to West Florida University. Artis could become a real cornerstone of the Mercenaries defense.
Defensive End De'Marco Artis ©SAJL.
Versatile veteran Jocques Crawford
A true veteran is now in charge of the secondary: Jocques Crawford. The 37-year-old safety has already seen many years of football. Despite his age, Crawford can still deliver top performances. He has already proven this with the Berlin Thunder and the Milano Seamen. In 2022, Crawford was selected for the ELF All-Star Team.
The veteran is versatile and can play both safety and running back. Before his time in the ELF, he played at several US colleges, in Finland, Brazil and Italy.
Can play on offense and defense: Jocques Crawford ©Eric Ribé.
Don't miss a single ELF Game - Get your Game Pass!
ELF-known Head Coach Marcus Herford
In the position of head coach, the front office is relying on a 39-year-old coach who already knows the league. Marcus Herford took over the position at the start of the offseason. In 2021, the US-Coach worked on the coaching staff of the Berlin Thunder. He then made a name for himself in the German Football League.
As head coach of the Hildesheim Invaders, he was partly responsible for his team's long playoff run, which even went as far as the semi-finals. Herford's stands for an energetic coaching style. Supporters can anticipate a dynamic squad that prioritizes growth and competition.
He will be supported by several former NFL professionals as assistant coaches. These include Chris Scelfo (OL), Joshua Fitzgerald (WR) and Sascha Gaveau (RB)
New Mercenaries Head Coach: Marcus Herford ©City Press.
Season objectives - Mercenaries have nothing to lose
However, whether the Helvetic Mercenaries can actually be a contender next season depends above all on if the key players work and if the team spirit can carry them to the end. The potential is definitely there thanks to a strong offseason. But with star players, expectations also grow.
Either way, the declared goal is likely to be a different one for now: To achieve more victories than in the previous year. Accordingly, the Helvetic Mercenaries have nothing to lose, despite the increased expectations.