What's Next: 2025 Carolina Chaos

2025 Season Result: 5-5, 3rd in Western Conference, lost in Quarterfinals

Draft Selections: 1.4, 2.4

Pending Free Agents:

Chris Aslanian, M

Cross Ferrera, A/M

Mark Glicini, SSDM

Justin Inacio, FO

Austin Kaut, G

Greg Langermeier, SSDM

Jarrod Neumann, D

Sergio Perkovic, M

Jack Posey, D

Troy Reh, LSM

Nick Rowlett, FO

JJ Sillstrop, A/M

Cole Williams, A/M

SEASON RECAP:

The Chaos had the league’s most tumultuous offseason and 2025. Andy Towers and his staff resigned en masse following disagreements with the league about making changes to the coaches. Another batch of players defected from the Chaos and the PLL entirely, opting to pursue a Mann Cup. This included stars Josh Byrne and Ian MacKay. Will Bowen, a former first round pick, retired from professional lacrosse, as did Brian Minicus. The new staff of head coach Roy Colsey and GM Spencer Ford took over with their work cut out for them. The elite defense built around Blaze Riorden, Jack Rowlett, Jarrod Neumann, and Troy Reh was still in place, but the offensive rebuild was significant. 

The Chaos lost their opener, but leaned on the defense and some quality two point play to beat the Outlaws in Week 2. A win over a clear title contender was a positive sign. But the Chaos dropped their next two games, including a 20-6 blowout at the hands of the Whips that was the most lopsided PLL regular season game ever. That game seemed to flip a switch though, as the Chaos won four of their next five, including another win over the Denver Outlaws in Denver. Rookie Owen Hiltz delivered on his draft hype, putting together a Rookie of the Year caliber campaign despite joining the team late. Justin Inacio took over at the faceoff spot and had a breakout season, finishing the season at 60.9% from the stripe. 

Carolina played their way to a 5-5 finish and a spot in the Championship Series, well beyond expectations given the scope of the rebuild. The defense remained the key to their identity, while new faces on the offense and the possession edge from Inacio sparked them to a run in the second half.

OFFSEASON PLAN:

Keep building. The defense remains a cornerstone of the team, and while Rowlett and Riorden are signed to long deals, Neumann and Reh are free agents. Retaining those two are critical, even as the offense still needs help. Levi Verch was very good as a rookie, as was Scott Smith, and the Chaos find themselves with a logjam of poles. Jack Posey may be the odd man out. It can be tough to get much in return for a player about to hit free agency, but Posey has shown he’s a 19 man regular caliber defender. The Chaos are light on draft picks, moving Posey for a draft choice would be great if they can find a suitor. 

Despite the change in coaching staff, the offensive style of the Chaos didn’t change a ton. They still play a brand of offense that takes clear influences from the indoor game. Essentially they play box lacrosse offense with two three man sides. Hiltz is the clear cornerstone of the left side. The Chaos ran him out of the box for two quarters per game, depending on where their attack side of the field was relative to the sub box. Watching games back, this also caused the Chaos some sub issues and surrendered transition. Hiltz at attack all four quarters should be the idea, and starting either one on lefty attackman or adding left handed players who are comfortable running out of the box full time. Part of the rebuild was seeing a lot of new faces in and out of the lineup, finding combinations that could be consistent. This offseason should see the Chaos push toward a more consistent lineup and more clearly defined roles.

Chaos offseason needs will be on the offense, and in the SSDM spot. Mark Glicini is a free agent and will be 33, Pat Resch ultimately was signed away by the Archers. Ray Dearth and Greg Langermeier were rookies a year ago, this is a team that will need reinforcements defending the midfield. Players like Silas Richmond and Aidan Maguire make a ton of sense for them in the draft.