After a slow start to this year's offseason, the Paris Musketeers have already set the course for the upcoming season. Probably the biggest: the signing of long-time NFL head coach Jack del Rio. 

He has now chosen a quarterback for the upcoming season. Jaylon Henderson will lead the team from Paris onto the field. “I chose Paris because I know they've got a team full of phenomenal athletes, full of like-minded guys like me that are all bought in to one single goal,” explains Henderson. The 27-year-old American was one of the absolute superstars of the German Football League last season. 

Touchdown machine in the GFL

With the Potsdam Royals, the QB impressed with strong athleticism and an unbelievable arm. Last season, he recorded 5202 passing yards and 91(!) total touchdowns in just 15 games, with only five interceptions. That's 346.8 per game with a passing accuracy of 77.4 percent. 

He not only led the league in numerous statistics, but also led his team to a second GFL Championship in a row.

What makes Henderson a real superstar alongside his impressive numbers is his game intelligence. His high football IQ allows him to analyze opposing defenses before the play and make adjustments accordingly. 

“He can make slight changes, can read defensive lines well, is intelligent and knows what to do at crucial moments,” his former coach Michael Vogt told ‘rbb24’.

Strengths that could make the Paris Musketeers a real contender under Jack del Rio. With Austin Mitchell, the team also has a first-class receiver in its ranks.

Corona denied him the NFL

The man from Kingwood, Texas, is starting his college career at Boise State University in the US state of Idaho. He had a solid season in 2019, throwing for 1080 yards and 14 touchdowns in 9 games. However, he was unable to recommend himself for the big NFL because the coronavirus pandemic got in the way.

The NFL Combine, where college players are allowed to demonstrate their skills in front of NFL scouts, was canceled. Only the best players from the most prestigious colleges made it into the league. Henderson says: “I never had the chance to show off my throws in front of an NFL coach.”

The slightly different way

He therefore chose a different path. He initially worked as a financial advisor in Idaho for a year and a half. However, his passion for football would not let him go. He moved to Las Vegas to play arena football professionally. 

In 2022, he had the opportunity to go to Japan. In 2023, Henderson and his team, the Panasonic Impulse, play a flawless regular season without defeat. Nevertheless, the team loses the final of the Rice Bowl.

Now the new chapter in the European League of Football.

No return of Zach Edwards

Many fans may have been expecting the return of Zachary Edwards. The US import led the French team to the ELF semi-finals last season and was voted Offensive Player of the Year after the season. With the signing of Henderson, Edwards' return would be a real miracle.

It is unclear whether Edwards will continue to play in the European League of Football. Currently, only the Raiders Tirol and Cologne Centurions are still looking for a new Starting Quarterback.

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