San Antonio Brahmas: A Season of Struggles and Missteps
- SABrahmabullpen
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
San Antonio Snap Count
As I sat down to write this week's San Antonio Snap Count, I realized this is the first article I have written with the Brahmas mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. I can't help but think we missed the playoffs long before losing to DC on May 9. The Brahmas had a chance to win that game with a little over a minute left, when a fumble by Marquez Stevenson ended their chances of a miraculous comeback. There was also a fumble return for a touchdown just before halftime that allowed DC to tie the game, preventing the Brahmas from staying ahead by a possession.
The season's story stayed consistent when the Showboats steamed into San Antonio; the game was set to be a battle for last place in the league and did not disappoint. Both teams did their best to solidify their spot as the number eight team in the league via turnovers. The Showboats ended the game with two fumbles and a mere 14 net passing yards, but the Brahmas would not be outdone in the poor play category. Starting quarterback Kevin Hogan threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Memphis. Both teams went 1-3 in redzone attempts, proving to everyone watching why this game was a battle for last place.
Each of the Brahmas' games has played out like a microcosm of their 2025 season as a whole. Turmoil and turnovers have been this year's overarching themes.
It started with coaching changes and quarterback swapping, with multiple forces pulling the team in two different directions, privately. Greg Luca of the San Antonio Express-News reported an "internal shift started in training camp, pushing the team to a more run-first offense." And that former offensive coordinator AJ Smith wanted to start 3rd string quarterback Jarrett Guarantano instead of Kellen Mond. (Luca, 2025) Now that the season is drawing to a close, neither quarterback is seeing any playing time, as Kevin Hogan has started the last three games, ultimately producing the same poor outcomes. An interesting fact is that the hometown kid, Kellen Mond, is still the only Brahmas quarterback with a win credited to his stat line in 2025.
The only constant fans have seen from the Brahmas this year is losing. With two games left in the season, one against the Battlehawks and the other against the Renegades, the team has a 1-7 record. Earlier in the season, teams defeated the Brahmas by a combined total of 41 points. Coach Pardee continues to apologize to fans in interviews and post-game press conferences while promising to improve, but is it too little, too late?
Looking back at the 2024 UFL Championship game, when the Brahmas scored zero points, it is clear that the team needed to answer some critical questions about its offensive execution and find a full-time starter at the quarterback position who had the willpower, talent, and desire to bring San Antonio its first pro-football championship.
With 80% of the 2025 season complete, the team is still searching for those answers, and the next two games may decide if coach Pardee sees the field as the Brahmas head coach for the 2026 season.
References
Luca, G. (2025, April 16). San Antonio Brahmas coach Wade Phillips to take leave of absence. Retrieved from San Antonio Express News: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/san-antonio-brahmas-wade-phillips-take-leave-20279394.php
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