The AF1 is a quarterback-driven league. Without the right player, like a point guard, divvying up the ball, it will be tough to be competitive. The Nashville Kats found out last season that just because a player has spent time on an NFL or CFL roster does not mean they will find success.
Beginning the season with an ugly game that saw Kory Curtis previously with the Seattle Seahawks, and Jake Dunniway previously with the Ottawa Redblacks both fail to produce. By the end of the game, the two signal callers had combined to go: 20 of 38 for 212 yards, 1 touchdown, and 5 interceptions. They also had 5 carries for 15 yards and 1 touchdown.
Future AF1 Defensive Player of the Year Michael Lawson pulled off the hat trick with 3 interceptions, also adding 8 tackles and 1 pass breakup. This performance spurred change and that change came in the way of arena football veteran Rakeem Cato and Tyler Kulka. In Cato’s only game for Nashville, he provided an immediate upgrade with a 22 of 34 for 239 yards 3 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Coming within one score of beating the eventual undefeated AF1 Champions.
Table of Contents
Losing is Not Acceptable in Nashville
Even with this performance the Kats believed they could be even better if they could just find a way to protect the ball. Seven interceptions in two games would not cut it in a competitive league built on teams that were all watching their quarterbacks continue to be or become stars before their eyes. Sam Castronova in Albany, Jalen Morton in Southwest Kansas, Dalton Cole in Oregon, etc.
While Cato certainly had improved upon the week zero performance, he still had proven to be a bit too careless with the football. That’s when the Kats turned the keys over to their savior: Tyler Kulka. Kulka came in and caught fire immediately proving to be a perfect fit for the Nashville offense. Kulka coming back to the US after beginning his professional career in Japan had played a lot of high-level football and came in as if he had been playing arena football his entire life.
“If It Isn’t Broken, Don’t Fix It”
Kulka became more than a quarterback, he became a phenomenon, a movement even. Kulkamania was born and never looked back. Darren Arbet is one of the most respected and successful coaches in arena football, he has coached some of the best quarterbacks to ever play football indoors, but Kulka may be among the best he has ever had already. As the adage goes; “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Per sources close to the situation; Tyler Kulka has officially re-signed with the Nashville Kats for the 2026 season. Kulkamania will continue in 2026 for the Kats of Tennessee. Locking up Kulka was among the top priorities for the coaching staff. In arena football the right quarterback is everything, and to the Kats, Kulka is everything. Efficient, energetic, but perhaps more importantly he is great in the locker room, and the community.
To date, Tyler Kulka has played in 9 games for the Kats, yet finished fourth in total passing yards. Every quarterback ahead of him played in 10 or more games; Cole 13, Morton 12, Castronova 10. Kulka finished the season having thrown 251 passes, completing 62.5% of his attempts, but threw just 2 interceptions all year. In fact, it wasn’t until Kulka’s fourth start of the season that he finally threw his first interception. He had collected 88 passing attempts heading into the rematch with Albany.
Kulka went on to produce a 7-4 record with three of his four losses coming to Albany by a combined deficit of 27 points, this included just a 3-point deficit in the Championship game. In that game Kulka was dealing, tossing 7 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Collecting 347 passing yards on 47 attempts.
Extra Credit
After the AF1 season ended, Kulka remained active, he signed with the Ozarks Lunkers of The Arena League (TAL). Kulka went on to play in 4 games for the Lunkers completing 66.7% of his passes for 841 yards (5th most in the league. This time with the Lunkers he was not able to keep as clean of a stat line, throwing 8 interceptions but compiling 19 touchdowns.
His cumulative stats for 2026 are as follows:
407 attempts, 261 completions, or 64.1% of his passes. He threw for 3,160 yards, 62 touchdowns and rushed for 5 more while being credited with 10 interceptions. He would lead the Kats to the Championship game, then help the Lunkers make it to the semi-finals before losing to the eventual champion Duluth Harbor Monsters.
Welcome back to Nashville Tyler Kulka, and welcome to the official start of your offseason Kats fans! If you are looking for more content about the Kats:
Interview with CEO Bobby Devoursney of the Nashville Kats
- 2026 American Indoor Football Season Preview
- Ricky Proehl Returns to St. Louis, Hired as Battlehawks Head Coach for 2026
- 2026 AIF Player Spotlight Anthony Ellison
- 2026 Player Spotlight & AAL2 Update
- AAL Sets Themselves Apart, Announce a Draft for 2026
Sponsor: Royal Retros
Niner Nuts is brought to you by our friends at Royal Retros. Royal Retros produces high-quality retro-themed jerseys including leagues/teams that no longer exist. Use our code ShadySports to save 10% on every purchase, and support Shady Sports Network in the meantime. Stop by RoyalRetros.com and start picking up those Birthday and Christmas gifts today. Royal Retros has a full line of AF1 gear, get yours today and save some money by using code ShadySports.
YouTube
Please also help us continue growing on our YouTube Channel by subscribing if you haven’t already. Also like and comment on any videos you enjoy! Thank you for your support and we hope you continue to tune in! If you are a fan of indoor football you will love our Saturday morning show where we discuss all the major indoor and arena football news from leagues like: IFL, AF1, NAL, TAL, AIF, and more.
Also, check out our new Live Events channel dedicated to broadcasting any games we can get the broadcast rights to. We have broadcast arena football, A7FL, Big 3 Basketball, Flag Football, Boxing, MMA and so much more.
https://www.youtube.com/@ShadySportsNetworkLiveGames
Join the Conversation on Discord, Facebook, or Reddit
Are you on Discord or Facebook? Join our server/groups to jump in the conversation, stay up to date on your favorite leagues, and give us your hot takes. You can also promote your content!
Fantasy Reports Facebook Group
Discover more from Shady Sports Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.