Collin Johns Waived in Stunning MLP Midseason Shakeup

Major League Pickleball’s midseason waiver period brought fireworks, and none more explosive than the Carolina Hogs cutting Collin Johns. Once viewed as a fixture beside his brother Ben on the court, Collin was surprisingly waived and replaced by Roscoe Bellamy. The move stunned fans and raised eyebrows across the league. While Bellamy brings youthful fire and raw power, few expected Carolina to walk away from the tactical, right-side reliability that Collin offered. The whispers were already there: Collin was never thrilled about his team setup or the league’s structure. Now it seems Carolina decided to stop pretending everything was fine.

While Carolina may spin the decision as strategic, the timing and optics say otherwise. Swapping Collin for Bellamy might hint at chemistry issues more than a performance-based shakeup. Bellamy, now on his third team in six months, is a wildcard. He could inject new energy or just as easily destabilize the Hogs further. Meanwhile, Collin’s options are narrow. Because of his ranking, he cannot be traded to a Challenger team. He could technically be claimed off waivers, but it’s no secret he has little interest in playing for anyone else. The likely outcome? A quiet fade into commentary duties while the league moves on without one of its most recognizable names.

If this is indeed Collin Johns’ MLP swan song, it’s a jarring one. Few players have had more success, yet few exits have felt this unresolved. Whether Carolina will benefit from this gamble remains to be seen, but what’s certain is that the league just got a little louder and a lot messier. Collin’s departure doesn’t just shake a roster, it sends a message to every veteran: nobody is untouchable, not even the guy with the best doubles partner in the game.