The franchise announced themselves as the Atlanta Havoc, an expansion team who were charter members of the new American Arena League (AAL) on September 10, 2017.

[13] Resignalo also took over head coaching responsibilities as Boo Mitchell stayed in Georgia and was named general manager of the Peach State Cats.

[15] The team would go on to sign a number of indoor and arena football veterans which included quarterback Daryl Clark, wide receivers Thyron Lewis and Rashad Carter and defensive back Micheaux Robinson.

Later on in free agency, they would set a precedent as they signed the first international player in the short history of the American Arena League in English national Cameron Craig.

[17] Head coach Anson Yarbourough then joined former general manager Josh Resignalo with the Carolina Cobras as a defensive coordinator.