Seattle sports fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of the XFL and the newly named Sea Dragons. Here’s a look at the team’s roster, schedule, rules, and why you should care about the Sea Dragons’ inaugural 2023 season.
The XFL is back and the Seattle Sea Dragons are ready to take the field. After a change of ownership and renaming, the league returns next weekend and the Sea Dragons are one of the eight franchises. This season, fans will have the chance to watch some of the most recognizable names in the NFL, including former Seahawk Josh Gordon and quarterback Ben DiNucci.
The Sea Dragons will play all of their home games at Lumen Field. The team will play a 10-game schedule, including five home games. Seattle’s opening game will be played against the Defenders on February 19 at 5:00 p.m. PT. The first chance Seattle gets to see the Sea Dragons live will be on February 23 against the Battlehawks.
The XFL is also introducing some unique changes to the game of football. One of the most notable differences is the league’s “4th Quarter Extra Possession Rule”. Like the NFL, a team can regain possession of the ball after scoring by recovering an onside kick. In the fourth quarter, teams can gain possession after scoring a goal by converting a 4th and 15th play from their own 25-yard line.
The XFL also has a centralized “command center” for instant replay review and officialing. This all-cloud-based instant replay program will provide live integration during retests and monitoring of officiating discrepancies throughout all 43 XFL games.
At a time when Seattle’s major sports teams are more collectively competitive than ever, the Sea Dragons hope to be the latest organization to make the Emerald City proud. With a talented roster and some unique rule changes, the Sea Dragons are ready to take the field and make a name for themselves.