Although it was not enough to win the Championship Game, the Vienna Vikings can look back on a successful season. For the second time in a row, they did not lose a single game in their regular season. Looking at the offseason moves so far, it seems like the team has no intention of resting on its success.

In the first four weeks of the offseason, the team has already announced one important contract extension after another. In addition to linebacker Noel Swancar, defensive backs Leo Gerner and Elmeri Laalo remain in the defense.

The situation is similar on offense. With Johannes Schütz, O-line cornerstone Lukas Holub, running back Karri Pajarinen, receiver duo Noah Touré and Reece Horn as well as quarterback Ben Holmes, a number of absolute key players signed new contracts.

Extensions are no surprise

Head coach Chris Calaycay is looking forward to welcoming most of his players back again next year. However, he is not surprised: "I think the biggest advantage in my job, since I've been here with the ELF, is that many of our players want to be here and want to be part of the Vikings. So it's never been in my mind that it's a total rebuild."

This makes his job definitely easier, he says. "And also, it's a pleasure to have top players and them appreciating what we do as a franchise, appreciating us being competitive in the league, and having an opportunity to win games."

Meanwhile, the contract extensions fit perfectly into the philosophy and culture of the franchise. "They (the players, editorial note) see that this is a franchise that is founded, that has a consistency, that we win a lot of football games, we have a lot of fun here, and they're comfortable in the environment that we provide for them," says Calaycay. "They also see that our fan base is growing, and that we try to use every little opportunity to improve our franchise. They see the future in that, so that helps us in order to get these guys to stay here for a long term."

Viennas head coach Chris Calaycay ©Hannes Jirgal

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Long way to Holmes' extension

But the extension with quarterback Ben Holmes was not a no-brainer, as the quarterback reveals: "They offered me the contract, probably in midseason. We started talking about it, and then I didn't make a decision until about two weeks after the Championship Game." Holmes wanted to think carefully about what he wants in life and what the next right step should look like.

In the end, he decided to stay with the Vikings. "I think it was just the right fit. I'm all about family and how you're treated and what it's like to be not just a player, but also a teammate and a person inside that organization."

It just fits for him at the Vikings: "Once I first got there, they treated me like I was the Vikings' franchise quarterback for six years, and I hadn't even played a game yet. As soon as I stepped a foot over there, they welcomed me with open arms."

The same happened with his wife and daughter. That impressed Holmes: "So I really just felt at home. They got anything I really asked for done." According to Holmes, the owner team and head coach Calaycay are doing a fantastic job. "It would be kind of silly not to go back to a place like that," he concludes.

Holmes and Calaycay - a dream team

Head coach Chris Calaycay plays a special role for the 30-year-old. "Me and Coach Chris have like a kind of father-son-type relationship," Holmes explains. He adds: "If he's got an idea, he bounces it off to me. And if I have an idea, I bounce it off to him." In critical situations, his coach always manages to calm him down. "I know he's looking at the big picture, and I'm just looking at the offense," says Holmes.

The experienced quarterback does not hold back with compliments for his coach: "I trust him with everything I got. I played on a lot of teams over my football career, and he's one of the best coaches I've been around. He's kind of like the ultimate player's coach."

Quarterback Ben Holmes trusts Calaycay blindly. ©Hannes Jirgal

Calaycay also describes the relationship with his quarterback as excellent: "We have that kind of relationship where we're talking about how we're going to get better or just family life or things we want to do for the offseason." Even during this time, the two usually speak around three times a week, Calaycay explains.

Vikings stays together

The Vikings will retain many of their top players. An important fact for quarterback Holmes: "I think teams are most successful when they can bring back a lot of guys. One year in an offense is great, but two years in an offense is even better." In his second year, the signal caller is looking forward to getting to know his team even better and understanding their playing styles. Holmes: "It just shows what kind of team we have."

Two of his most significant receivers, offensive rookie of the year Noah Touré and star receiver Reece Horn, will also stay in Vienna. Something that delights Holmes, as he spends a lot of time with both on the field. However, he emphasizes: "I never like to treat anybody differently just because of how many catches they have on the field." Treating everybody in the same way is very important to him.

Now Holmes spends his offseason in the United States. He is keeping in shape at his old university, Tarleton State, and spends a lot of time with old friends. He is then expected to return to Vienna in mid April. Then the next Vienna adventure starts - with very familiar guys aside.

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