The Denver Outlaws were never supposed to figure it out in one season. After rebranding from the Chrome, this group was always going to need time to find its identity. But what made 2024 feel like progress wasn’t the 5-5 record or the middle-of-the-pack statistics. It was the shift in tone. A team that started slow ended the year with a one-goal playoff loss to a championship-caliber Whipsnakes team. That 11-10 defeat didn’t feel like a letdown. It felt like a sign they’re getting closer.
The moment it all started to turn was the win over the Archers. That was the Brennan O’Neill game. The legacy game. He showed exactly why he went first overall and why the Outlaws believed he could become the face of the franchise. He didn’t just score—he controlled the game. He gave this offense something it hadn’t had before. And now, heading into his second season, it’s his team.
O’Neill’s Team Now
Brennan O’Neill has all the makings of a breakout pro. He’s already one of the most physically dominant players in the league, and as he continues to adjust to the speed of the PLL, there’s no reason to believe he won’t take another leap this year. He finished 2024 with 29 points and looked more comfortable with each game. If he levels up again, he’ll be in the conversation with the very best in the world.
Around him, the midfield provides a solid supporting cast. Graham Bundy put up 23 points, while Justin Anderson and Sam Handley contributed 19 and 16 respectively. Bundy’s season flew under the radar a bit, but it was a major step forward. If he can replicate that output while playing alongside O’Neill and the newly acquired Pat Kavanagh, this offense could become a real problem.
The Kavanagh trade was an important one. The Denver Outlaws needed another weapon, someone who could bring consistency and help balance the offensive load. Kavanagh fits that mold. His dodging, vision, and work rate make him a natural complement to O’Neill, and he gives Denver a second option when defenses key in on their star.
Upgrades in Key Areas
There were some puzzling moves this offseason. Trading away both Brendan Nichtern and Josh Zawada felt premature. Both were young, talented players who probably deserved another year in the system. Still, the team didn’t sit idle. They filled needs, and they did it aggressively.
Logan McNaney comes in as the new starting goalie, and for a team that finished seventh in save percentage last year, that could be the most important addition of the entire offseason. McNaney made four national championship appearances at Maryland. He’s experienced, composed, and has played in the biggest moments college lacrosse can offer. If he adjusts quickly, he could become one of the better goalies in the PLL almost immediately.
The rest of the draft focused on defense. Pace Billings and Kevin Parnham give them more depth at close defense, while Jack Gray and Zach Geddes help strengthen the SSDM unit. Jack VanOverbeke, added via free agency, could give them some versatility offensively, especially in a system that should allow him to play a little more freely than he did with the Archers.
Defense Still Finding Its Form
Statistically, the defense was solid last year—fourth in scores against at 12.1—but there’s room to grow. That growth starts with JT Giles-Harris, who might be one of the most underappreciated poles in the league simply because of where he plays. His tape is excellent. He’s physical, poised, and rarely gets beat. If the Denver Outlaws can build around his presence and continue developing chemistry with guys like Jesse Bernhardt and Jake Piseno, this could quietly become one of the stronger units in the league.
Piseno finished with 30 ground balls and brings energy and athleticism at the LSM spot. He fits the mold of the kind of player the Outlaws want to build around—tough, disruptive, and reliable in transition.
Time to Build on the Foundation
There’s something interesting about this Outlaws team. The numbers don’t scream contender. The roster is still young. But the signs of growth are undeniable. O’Neill is developing into a star. The defense is stabilizing. The team added a proven goalie and brought in a high-IQ offensive piece in Kavanagh. The ceiling might not be a title run just yet, but they’ve done enough to put themselves in the playoff conversation.
This season is going to be about consistency. The Denver Outlaws don’t need to beat everyone. They just need to show up every week, compete for four quarters, and continue to gel as a unit. There’s enough talent here to sneak up on people. If the chemistry comes together and the new pieces settle in, Denver could become one of the more frustrating teams to play against in the PLL.
They’re not quite there yet—but they’re getting close.
