Arizona Rattlers take revamped roster into season opener vs. San Diego
The Rattlers' overhauled roster, with QB Max Meylor leading the way, opens Saturday, March 28, at home against the San Diego Strike Force.
About 80 percent of the roster is new, but it doesn't mean the Arizona Rattlers are rebuilding. They never do, despite the annual talent turnover. Welcome to the 2026 version of the Indoor Football League team, led by new quarterback Max Meylor, as they meet a familiar foe in their season opener on Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.
m. MST, when they take on the San Diego Strike Force at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. Meylor led Green Bay to the IFL championship game last season.
The Rattlers, meanwhile, saw their season end in heartbreak last year, losing 49-48 to the Strike Force in last year's playoffs. It ended in controversy with coach and team president Kevin Guy filing a formal protest with the IFL, after San Diego won on a Nate Davis touchdown pass to Arthur Jackson III on the last play of the game. Guy felt the officials blew the last call with three San Diego players in motion during the pre-snap and that a flag should have been thrown.
The league acknowledged that the official made the wrong call, but there was no decision to give the Rattlers the win and advance them in the playoffs. It took a while for Guy to get over it, if he's gotten over it at all. But it's a new season.