COLE BLOW FOR HELVETIC MERCENARIES
The turbulence within the Helvetic Mercenaries organisation continued after the Swiss team’s 62-0 routing by the Paris Musketeers when they were forced to reach a mutual parting of the ways with marquee signing, and former NFL regular, Keelan Cole Jr.
Officially, the reason for the split is listed as an ‘ongoing difficulty in obtaining a work visa’ that would allow the American to remain with the Mercenaries for the rest of the 2025 season. According to a statement issued by the team, ‘close consultation with the player’ resulted in a mutual decision to terminate Cole’s contract ‘in the best interests of both parties’.
The move, and subsequent reasoning, will undoubtedly be called into question by recent events within the Helvetic ranks, with the need to postpone Week 7’s trip to Copenhagen on the eve of the match with unbeaten Nordic Storm being followed by the firing of head coach Marcus Herford and a revolving door of players on both sides of the ball.
In order to bolster reportedly the smallest roster in the entire ELF, five new ‘homegrown’ offensive linemen from Geneva and Lucerne were signed ahead of the Paris game, which the club claimed demonstrated a ‘clear commitment to promoting Swiss football talent’, in addition to the trio of experienced defensive backs snapped up just hours after former receivers coach Joshua Fitzgerald was promoted as an interim fill-in for Herford.
Given the upheaval, little more than defeat could have been expected when the high-flying Musketeers came to Wil on Sunday, but the Mercenaries never appeared to be in the game, allowing their visitors to repeat the franchise-record 62 points they had put on equally hapless Cologne the previous week.
“Our goal remains the same: We want to be competitive — and we will be,” sporting director Jeremy Bryson claimed at the time of the changes. “After a disappointing first half of the season, a midseason course correction was necessary. I experienced similar situations during my time with the Stuttgart Surge. I know what needs to be done — and I’m convinced there’s enough talent in Switzerland to build a top team in the ELF. But that takes work and action — and that’s exactly why I’m here.”
With rumblings in both social and traditional media concerning the divergence of quality between ELF franchises, both on and off the field, Bryson knows that the Mercenaries will be in the crosshairs, but insists that the team is headed in the right direction.
“I understand that some people question what we’re doing here,” Bryson added, again before the humiliation at the hands of the Musketeers. “But, I assure you, every decision we make is for the good of the team, the franchise, and our fans.”
Now, with Cole’s departure, Bryson has a vacant A-import spot to fill, and says the still unfilled E-import spots will be filled ‘as best as possible and with high priority’ ahead of the next three homes games, which come thick and fast against top tier opposition, with the organisation working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure the continued access to visas for international athletes.
“Although the sporting expectations were not fully met, the organisation is grateful for the time spent together and the exciting insights made possible by Keelan,” said the official statement announcing the American’s exit. “We sincerely thank him for his commitment and wish him all the best for his next adventure in Europe.
The Mercenaries’ next home game takes place at the LIDL Arena in Wil this coming Saturday against South Division leaders Munich Ravens, one of the two best teams in the current season.