‘WILLIE P’ RETURNS AS PRAGUE, ELF CONFIRM 2026
The Prague Lions have confirmed Willie Patterson as their final A-import signing for the 2026 European League of Football season, securing one of the league’s most dynamic and productive offensive players as the franchise prepares for its next step forward.
Patterson will enter his fourth season in the ELF after extending his stay in Prague, where he played a central role in the Lions’ emergence in 2025. He first appeared in the league in 2023, joining Rhein Fire midseason, before moving to the Madrid Bravos in 2024 for his first full campaign. Last season, he became a cornerstone of the Lions’ offense, helping transform the team and push them to the brink of a playoff appearance.
Across 30 ELF games, Patterson has recorded 151 receptions for 2,129 yards and 20 touchdowns, placing him among the most productive receivers in league history. His impact, however, goes beyond traditional receiving numbers. In 2025, he added a significant rushing element to his game, producing 548 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 58 carries, further underlining his versatility and big-play ability.
By retaining Patterson, even as 2025 head coach Dave Warner moves back to Madrid, the Lions ensure one of the most exciting offenses in Europe, as the American’s explosiveness and adaptability are harnessed to the arm of new quarterback Jaylon Henderson, who moves to Prague from the Paris Musketeers.
“I spoke with a few teams, but the recruiting process this offseason was slower and more difficult,” Henderson told Foot Bowl, explaining that his decision to sign with the Lions came down to the importance of relationships and organisational culture. “It came down to the feeling. You want to feel comfortable, because you’re going to live there for several months. The management and the coaching staff gave me a really good feeling from the beginning. We had constant conversations and that made the decision easy in the end.”
News of Patterson’s re-signing came as the European League of Football officially confirmed the Lions as its third franchise for the 2026 season, following earlier announcements of the Raiders Tirol and Frankfurt Galaxy. The Lions were one of the league’s fastest-improving teams in 2025, rebounding from previous seasons with negative records to produce a notable turnaround. After opening the year with two losses, Prague responded with four consecutive wins and finished the season with seven total victories. Alongside Patterson, key players Ken Hike Jr. and Wes Guilford have also extended their contracts, while the addition of Henderson completes the A-import quotient for 2026.