AF1 free agency: MVP quarterbacks change teams, Minnesota and expansion Austin make aggressive moves

Arena Football One's 2027 roster-building season has produced significant quarterback movement, an aggressive expansion effort in Austin and extensive player signings by the Minnesota Monsters ahead of their move to the Twin Cities.

Three of the league's top offensive players have changed teams. Reigning Most Valuable Player Tyler Kulka has left champion Nashville for Michigan, Offensive Player of the Year Malik Henry has moved from Michigan to Kentucky, and leading receiver Malik Honeycutt has departed Nashville for the expansion Austin Bulls.

The changes affect three of AF1's most successful 2026 teams. Nashville finished 13-1, including the postseason, and defeated Albany 59-53 in the Arena Crown championship. Michigan reached the semifinals, while Minnesota finished 9-5 after losing in the final four.

Michigan acquires reigning MVP

Michigan made one of the offseason's most significant acquisitions by signing Kulka, who passed for 2,835 yards and 56 touchdowns during Nashville's 2026 regular season.

The 6-foot-1, 220-pound quarterback from Lawrence Tech led the Kats to an 11-1 regular-season record and threw seven touchdown passes in their championship victory over Albany.

Kulka replaces Henry, who led AF1 with 59 touchdown passes while throwing for 2,700 yards for the Arsenal.

Michigan reached the semifinals after recovering from a 1-4 start. Receivers Daniel Williams and Jairus Grissom combined for 1,636 yards and 39 touchdowns during the regular season.

The Arsenal's ability to retain or replace their receiving talent will be important as Kulka takes over the offense.

Kentucky signs Henry

Kentucky acquired Henry after a season in which the 6-foot-3 quarterback earned AF1 Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Henry's most productive postseason performance came in Michigan's 92-76 semifinal loss to Nashville, when he passed for 452 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Kentucky finished the 2026 regular season with seven victories after opening 7-2. The Barrels lost their final three regular-season games amid personnel turmoil before Michigan eliminated them 70-36 in the playoffs.

Henry is the only Kentucky signing identified in the league's September and early October transaction announcements reviewed for this column.

Minnesota builds roster for Twin Cities debut

The Monsters have been among AF1's most active franchises, announcing 20 signing entries across nearly every position group.

Minnesota has signed defensive lineman and fullback Claude Davis, defensive lineman Sha'Ki Holines, defensive back Delvon Randall and defensive backs Khai West and Marquise Bridges.

Davis and Randall earned first-team All-Arena honors in 2026. Randall recorded 56 solo tackles and seven interceptions.

The Monsters also have signed defensive linemen Aaron Berg and Henry Kellogg, further strengthening their defensive rotation.

On offense, Minnesota has announced quarterbacks Ja'Vonte Johnson and Mailik Gaillard, receivers Carlos Thompson, LaDarian McAllister, Phoenix Sproles, Shiloh Flanagan and Moe Strong, and fullback Undra Hendrix.

McAllister, a former Texas Tech receiver, is listed at 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds. Strong is 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds.

The offensive line additions include Leon Brown, Gunner Halburt and Jake Oliphant. Brown is listed at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, while Oliphant is 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds.

Minnesota also signed kicker Brent Reis.

The Monsters return an accomplished defensive foundation while adding size and depth offensively. Their most significant question involves quarterback production following the departure from Duluth and relocation to the Twin Cities.

Minnesota reached the semifinals in 2026 but must improve offensively to challenge teams led by established quarterbacks such as Kulka and Henry.

Expansion Austin assembles substantial roster

Austin has announced 16 signing entries, including Honeycutt, who led AF1 with 1,047 receiving yards and 19 touchdown receptions for Nashville.

Honeycutt, the league's Breakout Player of the Year, gives the Bulls an established receiving threat.

Austin also signed receivers Jamaal Couch, Maurice Ashley and Jarvai Flowers, along with offensive linemen Eric Washington, Kyler Edwards and Boyd.

Washington is listed at 6-foot-7 and 350 pounds, Edwards at 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, and Boyd at 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds.

Defensive additions include backs Kobe Brown, Tyre Williams, Joseph Taylor, De'Ron Maxwell and Jordan Whitley, along with linemen Gabe Smith and Daymond Williams.

Running back Alandis Tolliver also joined the expansion franchise.

Austin has added proven receiving talent and considerable offensive-line size, although its early transaction announcements do not identify an established starting quarterback.

Nashville faces major offensive changes

Defending champion Nashville enters the offseason without Kulka and Honeycutt, two central contributors to an offense that scored 735 points during the 2026 regular season.

The Kats have signed quarterback Shea Spencer, receiver Dakarai Thorpe and offensive linemen Brey Walker, Timothy Robinson and Cadavius Gary.

Walker is listed at 6-foot-7 and 380 pounds, Robinson at 6-foot-5 and 360 pounds, and Gary at 6-foot-4 and 315 pounds.

Defensively, Nashville announced the additions of Dwayne Thompson II, Trae Meadows, Tank Pearson, Zaahir Colen and Justin Alexandre.

Coach Darren Arbet's franchise must replace Kulka's 56 regular-season touchdown passes and Honeycutt's league-leading receiving production.

The Kats led AF1 in scoring and placed 11 players on the 2026 All-Arena teams. The extent of their returning roster remains unclear from the published signing announcements.

Albany, Washington and San Diego

Albany, the 2025 champion and 2026 runner-up, has announced quarterback Josh Kulka, receivers Agiye Hall and Tyrese Chambers, and defensive lineman Khris Walton.

The Firebirds' 2026 offense featured quarterback Sam Castronova and receivers Duane Brown and Darien Townsend. Townsend led AF1 with 24 touchdown receptions.

The league's early transaction announcements do not establish whether those players will return in 2027.

Washington has signed receivers Ivan Thomas, Aakiel Greer and Max Novak, offensive lineman Elijah Philippe, defensive lineman Keanu Mailoto and linebacker Tywon Buckley.

The Wolfpack reached the 2026 playoffs before losing 48-32 at Minnesota in the quarterfinals.

San Diego's published additions include defensive lineman Shijuan Rogers, listed at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds.

Other 2026 AF1 franchises, including Beaumont and Oceanside, have not appeared prominently in the signing reports reviewed. Their absence from the announcements does not establish their complete roster or operating status for 2027.