The Death of a "Dynasty"

2022 Season – Maryland Marines are ACL Champions

August 17th 2023 – Ike Mendel publishes “Are the Maryland Marines a dynasty?” with the infamous quote from Maryland’s Josh Halverson declaring his team a “Dynasty” after winning their first championship. 

September 7th 2023 – Josh doubles down on his statement with his own article that the Marines are the premier franchise of the ACL. 

2023 Season – Arizona Albatross are ACL Champions; Maryland loses in the first round 

2024 Season – Hawaii Hookies are ACL Champions; Maryland loses in the championship 

August 18th 2025 – Josh trades his star player, Saquon Barkley, in a salary dump for a projected mid-first round pick and some bench players.   

Josh put on a clinic since the dawn of the ACL on how to commit to chasing a championship in the current season. Year after year he leveraged his picks in trades that strengthened his effort to win a championship that year which resulted in plenty of regular season success. However, the second championship proved to be elusive which prevented changing “Dynasty” to Dynasty. 

This team had the chance to take one last dance. The core that no one wants to face in the playoffs was there. The draft picks to use in trades to supplement the roster were there. The cap space for this season presented a challenge but there was still the last good opportunity to push that down the road to be next season’s problem. 

The trade of Saquon effectively ended this team’s window of contention and with it legitimizing the dynasty declaration. Next will be trying to make a surprise push to sneak into the playoffs or embracing the rebuild. Hubbard and Kelce are prime in-season trade pieces to a contender. Amon Ra could warrant a king’s ransom if he becomes available. 

Now the question remains, who will take the mantle of the Dynasty of the ACL?