It’s not an exaggeration to say 2025 marks a completely new chapter for the Carolina Chaos. Last season ended in brutal fashion—a 10-1 loss to the Archers that wasn’t just disappointing, it was deflating. That performance exposed everything wrong with the Chaos offense and forced the franchise into some hard decisions. And hard decisions were made. Andy Towers is gone. Josh Byrne and Dhane Smith are gone. What’s left is a team that still plays elite defense, still has the best goalie in the world, but now enters this season with more questions than answers.
There’s always been something gritty and chaotic—no pun intended—about this club’s identity. They’ve never been afraid to scrape their way through a regular season just to make noise in the playoffs. But last year’s 4-6 record felt different. The team didn’t just fall short. It looked broken at times. A single goal in a semifinal is a cry for help offensively, and the front office seems to have heard it loud and clear.
Offense: Total Overhaul
There’s no sugarcoating it—the Carolina Chaos had the worst offense in the PLL last year. Just 100 scores on 25.2 percent shooting. The ball didn’t move well, spacing was off, and there was no consistent threat that teams feared. Losing Dhane Smith before the season was a major blow, and as the year wore on, it became clear just how much his absence hurt. Josh Byrne was never able to fully take over in his place, and now he’s on the holdout list. Simply put, there was no alpha.
So this offseason became about starting over. Owen Hiltz, taken eighth overall in the draft, will be asked to contribute immediately. He won’t have the luxury of easing in. He’ll need to step up from day one if the Chaos want to get anything going offensively. But he won’t be alone. Jackson Morrill brings a veteran presence and might finally have found the right system to thrive in. Josh Zawada, brought over in a trade from the Outlaws, is the wildcard here—there’s a lot to like about his game, and if he’s given the green light, he could quietly become this team’s breakout piece.
Chris Aslanian and Garrett Degnon were also added to the midfield mix, and while neither is expected to be a gamebreaker, they bring depth and fresh legs. It’s a completely retooled offensive unit. That doesn’t mean it’ll be better right away, but it at least gives the Carolina Chaos something they didn’t have last year: options.
Still Elite on the Back End
The strength of this team hasn’t changed. Blaze Riorden remains the most dominant goalie in the league, and that’s not a debate. He posted a 59.4 percent save percentage last year and routinely stole games the Chaos had no business being in. He’ll have to do that again this year—and probably more often than is fair.
In front of him, the poles are as steady as ever. Jack Rowlett and Jared Neumann bring the toughness and IQ you need in a defense-first team, and Troy Reh continues to do his job at LSM. Even with Will Bowen’s retirement and Craig Chick sitting on the holdout list, this group knows how to defend. They were the top scoring defense in the PLL last season, allowing just 11.0 scores per game, and they’ll need to replicate that level if they want to stay competitive.
Major Culture Shift
Letting go of Andy Towers was a massive shift, and while opinions will vary on the move, it does signify something important—the Chaos are moving forward. That might come with pain. It might come with a couple rough seasons. But after losing the league’s most recognizable coach and two of its most dangerous offensive weapons, there’s no other choice but to redefine who this team is.
That process won’t happen overnight. Expectations are low for a reason. No one is picking this team to make a championship run. Frankly, getting to .500 would be an impressive step forward. What’s more important than wins and losses this year is direction. Does this team show signs of life? Does the offense figure out its identity? Is this group capable of building something new?
What Chaos Fans Should Hope For
At this point, Carolina Chaos fans aren’t asking for perfection. They’re just asking for progress. The offense doesn’t need to be elite right away. It just needs to function. The defense doesn’t need to carry every single week. It just needs to hold the line until help arrives. If Hiltz can break out, if Zawada makes a leap, and if Riorden keeps doing what he always does, the Chaos could surprise people.
But even if they don’t, there has to be something here that points to the future. A system. An identity. A reason to believe. Because right now, that’s what this organization needs more than anything.
