ELF: Wroclaw Panthers re-sign top defender, LB AJ Wentland for another two years
The Wroclaw Panthers of the European League of Football have announced that American linebacker AJ Wentland has returned for the 2025-2026 seasons.
The 6’3, 225-pound Rockford, Illinois native was the backbone of the Panthers defense this year averaging 14 tackles a game, along with 4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 4 forced fumbles, 2 blocked kicks, 5 pass break ups and one interception.
The 29-year old joined the Panthers partway through the 2023 season after the collapse of the Leipzig Kings. Although he only played in nine games last season, he finished third in tackles with 112, earning him first team 2023 ELF All-Star honors.
Beginning his professional career in Dresden with the Dresden Monarchs of the German Football League in 2018, Wentland has been one of the most well-decorated and respected players in the European football scene, winning a German Bowl with the Monarchs in 2021, months after winning an Austrian Bowl with the Swarco Raiders Tirol.
AJ Wentland hauling down Allgäu Comets ball carrier while with the Dresden Monarchs Photo: Dresden Monarchs
He spent his 2022 season with the now-folded Kings, where he led the league in tackling earning him a first team spot on the ELF All-Star team.
Following the German Football League’s 2020 season cancellation, Wentland joined the Kuopio Steelers in Finland. As a member of the Steelers defense, Wentland made 36.5 tackles, four and half tackles for a loss, and one sack. The former GFL All-Star’s play helped Kuopio win its first Maple Bowl championship. His play in Finland earned him All–Pandemic team honors.
Before coming to Europe, Wentland was a standout two-time All-American linebacker with the McKendree University Bearcats (NCAA, Division II) where he was also a three-time All GLVC (Great Lakes Valley Conference) selection. Over three years, he amassed a total of 412 tackles including 145 in 11 games in his senior year, 2017. He also had two touchdowns, three interceptions, and six forced fumbles.
Needless to say, Wentland is happy to be returning to the Panthers for another two seasons:
“I’m very excited to continue playing for the Panthers and the city of Wrocław. I enjoy working with all of my teammates, coaches and colleagues here. We’ve built a strong culture on our defense and I look forward to building upon that culture. It’s been great working with Coach Kuligowski who puts us in great position to be successful each week. I love the organization, the city of Wrocław, and the Panthers Fans. Go Panthers!
