Yes, we know it is only February, however, the European Football League has been busy, to say the least. An onslaught of signings from big-name players, coaches and new teams dominated the European football news cycle since september.

Which means it’s time for our far-too-soon Power Rankings to launch our coverage of the 2022 season, now just 14 weeks away.

12: Stuttgart Surge:

In 2021, the To go up posted a 2-8 record that placed them last in the league at the end of the season. Adding to this, that of Stuttgart the offense was the worst in the league by a wide margin. However, To go up head coach Martin Hanselman made some key additions to his squad by adding quarterback Randall Crusher and several impact Germans as the To go up expect them to kick off in June.

11: Istanbul Rams

the Rams have hopeful ambitions of fielding a competitive team in their start ELF season this year. the Turkish powerhouse is looking forward to proving itself once again on the international stage. While coach Val Gunn has signed experienced imports such as Jared Stegman and Zachary Blair, his core of Turkish players will need to step up to do the Rams competitors week after week.

Barcelona DragonsPhoto: Eric Ribe

10: Barcelona Dragons

the elves Alone Spanish The team ended its 2021 campaign with a 3-7 record. This year the Dragons and their wild fans are hoping for a postseason run as quarterback Zach Edwards returns to Spain. New additions like former CFL wide receiver Benjamin Plu and the return of a large group of local players have the Dragons feel ready to show improvements this summer.

9: Kings of Leipzig

the kings were a tough team to read in 2021. Without quarterback Michael Birdsong, the team struggled. However, when healthy, Birdsong and the Kings looked like dark horse contenders for the title. The Kings have undergone some changes this offseason as new owners and many new players have stepped in. Head coach Fred Armstrong and the Leipzig defense added standout linebackers Myke Tavarres and AJ Wentland and brought back ELF All-Star Roedion Henrique.

8: Berlin Thunder

One of the first gestures of the new head coach Johnny Schmuck was getting a new quarterback for the Capital city town as the thunder hooked Jo Germinerio Far from GFL Kiel Baltic Hurricanes. Germinerio and new rusher pass Kyle Kitchens hope to have the thunder make some noise this summer.

Madre London escapes defenders Photo credit Cologne Centurions

7: Cologne Centurions

Last year the centurions led ELF MVP Madre London to a playoff spot. The league’s star running back has signed to return to Cologne with local quarterback Jan Weinreich. However, the attacking duo and new head coach Frank Roser will need help from the defense if Cologne also became title contenders this summer.

6: Rhine Fire

Old San Francis 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula leads the Fire in their return to the grill after a 15-year absence. Leaning into the NFL Europe nostalgia, Tomsula actually trained the Fire for one season in 2006. Tomsula and an impressive core of domestic talent could shake up the league. That said, they will need a quarterback as the man behind center has yet to be announced in Dusseldorf.

5: Wroclaw Panthers

The league is alone Polish franchise nearly made the playoffs in 2021 after a terrific season. Now head coach Jakub Samel and a strong core of Polish talent enters 2022 with high expectations and some new faces. Old Oklahoma & State of Arkansas strategist Justice Hansen brings exceptional potential to a tough and brave team that epitomizes their home country.

Photo credit: Tirol Raiders

4: Tirol Raiders

the Raiders joined the ELF to complete a simple mission. Prove they are the best on the continent. Veteran quarterback Sean Shelton and a seasoned roster of many of Austria’s best players have made their way across Europe after three consecutive AFL titles. They are a disciplined and athletic team with few weaknesses. However, the lack of imports currently on the list could hurt their depth in what appears to be a very difficult schedule.

3: Hamburg Sea Devils:

The 2021 league runners-up enter 2022 eager to redeem themselves after narrowly failing in the inaugural league title game. In a bid to hoist this year’s trophy, the Wed Devils signed the head coach Charles “Yogi” Jones to lead a talented team in their second year together. The team will rely on German strategist Salieu Ceesay be the signal caller for the team with high expectations.

the Wed Devils signed the best receiver Jeans Constant far from Barcelona as well as the addition of several impact European players. However, they will have to prove that they can beat Frankfurt and the new Austrian talent to climb this ranking.

2: Vienna Vikings

the vikings have signed some of the best talent available in Europe this offseason. The influx of new players as well as from Vienna strong home recruiting has attracted many impact players from near and far to wear proudly mauve this season.

That said, it’s hard to crown them number one, because the last time we saw the vikings on the pitch, they were eliminated in the Austrian bowl by fellow league newcomers, the Raiders. It will be interesting to see how head coach Chris Calaycay and his Austrian core fit in with the influx of talent joining them this summer.

1: Frankfurt Galaxy

Head coach Thomas Kosling and Frankfurt looked sharp all season as he rode an 11-game winning streak to claim the inaugural ELF title. the Galaxy consider this year with the return of the majority of their championship team. Quarterback Jakeb Sullivan, running back Gennadiy Adams, linebacker Sebastian Gauthier and defensive tackle Marc Anthony – Hor have all re-signed to chase back-to-back rings.

There are still many questions left in the league as new stars and vacant import spots have yet to be announced. However, looking at the teams on paper, the league has already started to show which teams will be real contenders for elves second title.