UFL 2024: Year 2 evolution to include more innovation, player development

Champions of the UFL’s inaugural season, the Birmingham Stallions will get an opportunity to defend their title.

Daryl Johnston, head of the league's football operations, confirmed there will be a second season of the spring football league that has taken on a life of its own. While there was talk of expansion, Year 2 will feature all eight teams returning to their home markets as the league works to refine things during the offseason and build a better product in 2025.

"We are going to be able to dial into the details," Johnston told FOX Sports. "We’re going to have a traditional offseason calendar where we can be ahead of the curve instead of being in a position where we have to chase it a little bit.

"I think that’s something that everyone’s excited about."

Innovation and player development will continue to be mainstays as the league works to improve the on-field product, according to Johnston, along with growth in the home markets as the UFL moves forward with a second season.

Here’s a closer look at some takeaways from the inaugural UFL season.

Improved QB play leads to better on-field product

From UFL MVP Adrian Martinez to veteran stalwarts like AJ McCarron and Luis Perez, more polished quarterback performance from the XFL and USFL merger — going from 16 to eight teams — has led to a better product on the field. That included Michigan using four QBs and San Antonio using three during the regular season en route to the playoffs.

Perez led the league in passing (2,307 yards), while Martinez led the league in rushing (528 yards). Among starters, San Antonio's Chase Garbers led the league in completion percentage, connecting 68.6% of the time.

Scoring was also up slightly. Games averaged 43.7 combined points during