This article is about the team that began play in 2018. For the former AF2 team of the same name which played from 2000 until 2009, see Quad City Steamwheelers.
After the original Quad City Steamwheelers folded along with the AF2, TaxSlayer Center director Scott Mullen had been in talks with various investors seeking to bring back the Steamwheelers, but none were financially secure enough to meet his standards. During 2017, a splash page emerged allegedly belonging to a revived Steamwheelers team in the CIF, however, neither Mullen nor the CIF would comment on the page.[3]
On August 15, 2017, the Center confirmed that a deal had been reached which would see the Wheelers return as members of the CIF for 2018, with a press conference taking place the following day.[4] At the press conference, the Wheelers introduced their owner/general manager Doug Bland (previously part-owner of fellow CIF team the Dallas Marshals) and head coach Cory Ross (most recently head coach for the Omaha Beef).[5]
After one season in the CIF, the Steamwheelers announced they were joining the Indoor Football League for the 2019 season.[2]
After playing only one game in 2020, the Steamwheelers' season was initially postponed and the league's season was eventually cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On October 23, 2020, the team announced that due to the restrictions on arena capacity during the pandemic, they would be dormant for at least the 2021 season.[6] In September 2021, they announced they planned to return for the 2022 season.[1]
Roster
Quad City Steamwheelers roster
Quarterbacks
5 Judd Erickson
6 Mike Irwin
Running backs
7 Edward Vander
Wide receivers
0 Ka'ron Ashley
18 Easton Bianchi
16 Jarrod Harrington
9 Rahim Harvey
3 Warren Newman
13 Keyvan Rudd
15 Jordan Vesey
Offensive linemen
67 Paul Fay
65 Joe Krall
71 Ivory Scott
52 DJ Stuckey
Defensive linemen
91 Dominion Ezinwa
41 KeShaun Moore
4 Melik Owens
8 Jaylin Swan
Linebackers
22 Bubba Arslanian
Defensive backs
17 Malik Duncan
11 Brian Hughes
34 Dareon Jackson
23 Suni Lane
10 Dreko Statham
2 Trey Smith
Special teams
24 Kyle Kaplan
Reserve list
Currently vacant
Rookies in italics Roster updated March 18, 2024
33 Active, 0 Inactive