CNOTES 2026 CFL BEST BETS-NEWS-NOTES-WRITEUPS !

[Cnotes53]

Insight and Analysis May 26, 2026

3 reasons you can’t miss Montreal vs. Hamilton in Week 1​

HAMILTON — The road to the 113th Grey Cup begins with a playoff rematch as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Stadium on Thursday, June 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The two East Division rivals meet for the first time since last season’s Eastern Final, when a José Maltos Díaz walk-off field goal sent the Alouettes to the 112th Grey Cup and ended Hamilton’s season in heartbreaking fashion.

Here are three things that make the first regular season game of 2026 a must-watch appointment.

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1. A PLAYOFF REMATCH WITH PLENTY OF EMOTION
Both teams know exactly what’s at stake whenever Hamilton and Montreal meet, especially after last year’s dramatic Eastern Final.

“It’s going to be an incredible atmosphere,” said Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander at the CFL’s content capture earlier this off-season when asked about his team’s Week 1 matchup. “Those fans are some of, if not the most passionate fans in the league. You know they’re going to bring it.

“Two years ago, we had that feeling when we lost to Toronto in 2024 (in the Eastern Final), and we were fortunate enough to open against them at home the next season. You can try to say it’s just another game, but it’s the first game of the year in a hostile environment like the Hammer.”

Montreal receiver Tyson Philpot also expects a highly charged atmosphere.

“Obviously they’re going to want to get us back for ending their season last year on a walk-off field goal,” said Philpot. “But I think that game is going to set the tone for the season for us.”

2. HAMILTON’S NEW-LOOK ROSTER​

Wynton McManis signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this off-season (CFL.ca)
The Tiger-Cats enter 2026 with several key additions, including linebacker Wynton McManis, who joined the team after helping the Toronto Argonauts win the 111th Grey Cup two seasons ago.

McManis emphasized the importance of starting fast.

“I think everybody wants to win as soon as you come out,” said McManis. “You can have a great off-season and feel good about your team, but it’s always about how you finish.

“That being said, it’s always good to come out and win Week 1 because it lets you know your team is on the right track and that people are bonding and coming together the right way.”

Philpot also acknowledged Hamilton’s revamped roster heading into the opener.

“It’s Hamilton, it’s an East Division rival and we always seem to be playing each other in the Eastern Semi-Final or the Eastern Final,” said Philpot. “They’ve obviously added some talent, so it’s a bit of a new-look team, but we like taking down the best.”

3. AN EARLY EAST DIVISION MEASURING STICK​

Week 1 games always carry excitement, but opening the season against a division rival adds another layer.

Receiver Kenny Lawler believes Hamilton will be ready for the challenge.

“It’s great to start with an East Division matchup,” said Lawler. “Obviously they beat us last year, but we don’t bring turmoil from last year into a new season. If anything, it’s added fuel.

“They’re a great team. They went to the Grey Cup last year and won it a couple of years ago, so they’re great competition.”

With playoff history, divisional stakes and a loud Hamilton crowd expected to set the tone, the 2026 CFL season opener already carries the feel of a post-season game in early June.

 

[Cnotes53]

3 reasons you can’t miss Winnipeg at Calgary in Week 1​

CALGARY — A tightly contested West Division race in 2025 left little room for error, and both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders know the importance of getting off to a fast start when they meet on Friday, June 5 at McMahon Stadium in Calgary at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Last season, four of the five West Division teams finished with at least 10 wins, with Calgary finishing third at 11-7 and Winnipeg right behind in fourth at 10-8. With another competitive race expected in 2026, this matchup already carries significant weight.

Here are three reasons this early-season West Division showdown could have major playoff implications later in the year.

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1. EVERY WEST DIVISION GAME MATTERS​

The margin for error in the West has become razor thin, making head-to-head divisional matchups critical.

Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira knows how important a fast start could be.

“I think every season is important to start off on the right track with a win, but it’s even more important when you’re playing a West Division opponent,” Oliveira told CFL.ca back in April. “With us being in the West and playing Calgary in Calgary, starting 1-0 against a division opponent is massive.

“We all saw how last year went down to the wire with the playoff race, so it’s really important for us to start fast.”

2. TIEBREAKERS COULD COME INTO PLAY AGAIN​

With so many evenly matched teams in the West, players understand that June results can become extremely important by the end of the season.

That’s especially true for Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

“It’s always great to start off the year and get up early and often,” said Adams Jr. “Especially in a league game, because sometimes that matters in the tiebreakers at the end of the year when you play a team three times.

“If you can get a win early against one of your rivals, it helps in the long run. So it’s very important.”

3. BOTH TEAMS STILL HAVE GREY CUP EXPECTATIONS​

Despite finishing third and fourth in the West last season, both Calgary and Winnipeg enter 2026 expecting to compete for the 113th Grey Cup.

Quarterback Zach Collaros praised Calgary’s consistency and the challenge the Stampeders present every year.

“It’s important. It’s a division game, so those two points really matter,” said Collaros. “They’re a great organization and they’ve had tons of success since I’ve been in the league. (Head coach and general manager) Dave Dickenson is one of the main reasons for that.

“Vernon Adams Jr. is an unbelievable talent at quarterback. He’s accomplished a ton already in his career and he’s a guy who can take over a football game at any moment.”

Calgary receiver Jalen Philpot also expects another heavyweight battle between two contenders.

“They added Tim White and made some big signings in the off-season, so we don’t expect them to be worse than they were last year,” said Philpot. “They were a good team last year and they’re going to be even better.”

With two veteran quarterbacks, Grey Cup expectations and crucial divisional points already on the line, the West Division spotlight will shine brightly on McMahon Stadium on Friday night.

 

[Cnotes53]

3 reasons you can’t miss Edmonton at Ottawa in Week 1​

OTTAWA — A new era begins for both the Edmonton Elks and Ottawa REDBLACKS when the two revamped teams close out Week 1 at TD Place on Saturday, June 6 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

After finishing at the bottom of their respective divisions in 2025, both franchises entered the off-season determined to reshape their identities and build rosters capable of returning to playoff contention in 2026.

Here are three signs both teams could be ready to take a step forward this season and why you should tune in for the final game of the opening week of the 2026 season.

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1. BOTH TEAMS WENT ALL-IN DURING THE OFF-SEASON​

The Elks and REDBLACKS wasted little time reshaping their rosters after finishing last in their divisions in 2025.

Edmonton added several veteran pieces across the roster, including defensive end Malik Carney, receiver Joe Robustelli, and offensive linemen Coulter Woodmansey, Brendan Bordner, and Jordan Murray.

Ottawa was just as aggressive, bringing in linebacker A.J. Allen, defensive back/SAM linebacker C.J. Reavis, running back Greg Bell, and receiver Ayden Eberhardt. The REDBLACKS also hired Ryan Dinwiddie as head coach/general manager after his successful run with the Toronto Argonauts.

Both organizations clearly believe they’re ready to compete now.

2. EDMONTON BELIEVES LAST YEAR’S GROWTH WAS REAL​

The Elks showed flashes during the second half of last season, improving defensively and playing more consistent football after a difficult start.

Running back Justin Rankin said the focus now is carrying that momentum into Week 1.

“Our biggest focus this year, and something head coach Mark Kilam is harping on, is starting fast,” Rankin told CFL.ca back in April. “We dug ourselves into a hole last year and had to be perfect at the end of the season, and in any professional league that’s really hard to do.

“If we come out and play the type of football we know how to play and continue building on the foundation we already laid, I think we’ll be amazing.”

Allen also pointed to the Elks’ defensive improvement under coordinator J.C. Sherritt.

“What impressed me about Edmonton was how much they improved throughout the year,” said Allen. “You could really see the players understanding what J.C. Sherritt was teaching.”

3. A BATTLE BETWEEN FAMILIAR FOES​

Both the head coaches that will be on the sideline at TD Place are pretty familiar with each other. And familiarity raises the stakes.

Ryan Dinwiddie, who was named GM and head coach last November, is leading the REDBLACKS. Mark Kilam, on the other hand, is heading into his second year as the Elks bench boss.

Both were part of the Dave Dickenson’s staff in Calgary, with Kilam as special teams coordinator (2010-2024) and Dinwiddie as the quarterbacks coach (2016-2019). They’ve worked closely together and have seen each other’s tendencies and preparation up close. That turns this matchup from a season-opener to a chess match between two coaches who are likely to have an idea of what’s coming next.

Will the REDBLACKS get off on the right foot with a win in Dinwiddie’s first game with his new team? Or will Kilam get the best of his old friend and start Edmonton’s season 1-0?

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: Hamilton Tiger-Cats​

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ 2025 campaign ended with Alouettes kicker José Maltos Díaz booting the game-winning field goal with no time left in the Eastern Final.

They saw their 11-7 season sail through the uprights, sending those wearing black and gold home a week earlier than they had hoped.

Hamilton was that close to playing in the 112th Grey Cup. That close to trying to snap the long-standing Grey Cup drought in the Hammer.

That was then, however, and this is now.

With a few key additions on both sides of the ball and some returning faces ready for redemption, the Tabbies are ready to take on the 2026 campaign with unfinished business.

“I’m just taking in the pain,” said receiver Kenny Lawler. “What it felt like, the heartbreak of not being able to go to the Grey Cup, I’m bringing that with me. I use that pain to be able to fuel me and be able to give me something to chase and ultimately want to correct.”

As Lawler and his team get ready for their season kickoff on June 4 against the same Alouettes that eliminated them last year, here are five things to know about the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

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AN ABUNDANCE OF RICHES AT RECEIVER​

One of the top passing offences in the CFL called Hamilton home in 2025.

Led by Bo Levi Mitchell (more on him in a moment), the Tabbies finished the season first in passing touchdowns (36) and had the third-highest passing yards per game (297.4).

Kenny Lawler, in his first year with the Ticats, found immediate chemistry with Mitchell, enjoying his best season so far. The 31-year-old led his team in yards (1,443), targets (144), and touchdowns (14). Unofficially, he also led the team in catches that made everyone’s jaw drop.

Kiondré Smith, too, had a breakout season, hauling in 1,126 yards and five majors. Tim White was the other 1,000-yard receiver in Hamilton, but with him departing to Winnipeg, the Ticats went to work during free agency.

Keric Wheatfall, Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and Tyson Middlemost signed as free agents, and Shemar Bridges inked an extension, giving Mitchell plenty of talent to build on the passing attack from last season.

“(There are) so many veterans on the team and so many guys that understand ball and understand the CFL,” said Lawler. “Adding that veteran leadership to the team is going to take the team and this offence to the next level.”


BO KNOWS
Mitchell continued to cement himself as one of the best pivots in the league in 2024 and 2025, earning back-to-back Most Outstanding Player nominations.

Last year felt like a vintage Mitchell campaign, as the veteran quarterback turned back the clock with one of his best performances of his career, showing few signs of slowing down. He threw a career-high 36 touchdown passes, led one of the CFL’s most explosive offences and scored his first major on the ground since 2015.

With new weapons at his disposal, along with some returning ones, Mitchell and the Tiger-Cats believe their aerial attack can be even more dangerous this season.

“His arm talent is amazing, the strength that he still has,” Lawler said. “(He can) push the ball when he needs to throw it down the field, but then he knows when to put touch, and then the accuracy that he has. Then tie that in with the trust level that we were able to create in camp.”

NEW MAN IN THE MIDDLE​

Wynton McManis signed with the Tiger-Cats this off-season after being released by the Argos before hitting the free agent market (CFL.ca)
Wynton McManis is heading down the QEW in 2026, leaving his Double Blue behind for Black and Gold.

“I’ll describe him as an anchor,” Lawler said of his new teammate. “Someone that sets the defence, puts them in position, leads by not only the energy and the leadership that he has, but also with his play.”

In 2025, McManis tallied 62 tackles, four sacks, two tackles for a loss and a forced fumble. And he doesn’t shy away from a big game either. McManis was a standout in the 111th Grey Cup, recording six defensive tackles and three knockdowns, and he returned an interception 58 yards to set up Ka’Deem Carey’s touchdown late in the contest.

Now he takes his talents to Hamilton’s opportunistic defence, one that thrived on takeaways last season. The Ticats led the CFL in interceptions (27) and tallied 72 knockdowns, one fewer than first-place Winnipeg. They also forced the most turnovers (44) and cashed in on them, scoring the most points after a takeaway (134).

“I want to be able to get across just this fact of detail,” said McManis of his role on his new team. “I’m coming in and I feel like, I’m not saying that they’re lacking detail, but I just feel like to get over a lot of humps when you look deep down into it, it’s just details in certain situations.”

With three Grey Cup wins on his resume and leadership qualities any defensive coordinator would love to have, who better to join a team looking to snap a championship drought?

WHO STARTS AT RUNNING BACK?​

The major question heading into this season is who will carry the rock?

Last year, that job belonged to Greg Bell. The six-foot, 200-pounder rushed for 1,038 rushing yards on 184 carries in 15 games and was a key piece of the Ticats offence. But with Bell joining the Ottawa REDBLACKS as a free agent, the backfield feels wide open.

Canadian Johnny Augustine has the most experience of the group after he suited up in 17 games last season. He took 61 handoffs for 242 yards and got in on the passing game, hauling in 12 receptions for 134 yards. Ante Litre is another running back on the team, but he was mainly used on short yardage plays for the last few seasons.

The team also has some new talent who could earn the starting job. Shane Watts, who spent last season on the practice roster and is a name that could move to the top of the depth chart, and former Central Michigan University running back Nahree Biggins was signed earlier this week. And don’t forget about Larry Rountree III, a former NFL draft pick who signed with Hamilton in January.

Replacing Bell’s explosiveness won’t be easy, but Hamilton has several options ready for their opportunity.


THEY WANT THE CUP
Obviously. What team doesn’t?

But after coming so close last season and with the 113th Grey Cup being played at McMahon Stadium, a place that Mitchell and McManis both called home, it seems there’s a bit more motivation.

“It would be like fireworks going off,” McManis smiled when asked what it would be like to win a Grey Cup at the stadium where it all started for him.

“Then a fighter jet flies over top, and your favourite rock band is out there, and then all of your favourite candy is out, and then somebody pops up with some cookies.”

McManis and Mitchell both started their careers in Calgary, calling McMahon home for three and 10 years, respectively. Now, years after their time in Calgary, both have a chance to hoist the cup on their old stomping grounds.

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: Ottawa REDBLACKS​

No team was quite as busy as the Ottawa REDBLACKS this off-season, indicating that the last few seasons haven’t been up to standard in the nation’s capital.

The team didn’t just tweak things, they practically hit reset.

First came new leadership with the hiring of Ryan Dinwiddie as the team’s general manager and head coach. Then came a free agent frenzy and roster reconstruction.

After a 4-14 season and missing the playoffs in 2025, that level of change was expected.

Will it all come together in 2026? That remains to be seen, but until then, here are five things to know about the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

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1. A WINNING PEDIGREE ARRIVES IN OTTAWA​

Ryan Dinwiddie was named GM and head coach last November, bringing a winning pedigree to Ottawa. As a head coach with the Toronto Argonauts, Dinwiddie captured two Grey Cups (2022, 2024), won the East Division three times, appeared in four Eastern Finals and guided the Argos to a franchise record 16-win season in 2023.

But there’s more to what the new head coach brings.

“That dude loves football and there’s no one that can take that from him,” said linebacker AJ Allen at the CFL’s off-season content capture in April. “He’s passionate with his wins, he’s passionate with his losses.”

Ottawa has made the playoffs just once (2024) since 2018. Will Dinwiddie be the one to make them a contender again?

2. PATIENCE WILL BE REQUIRED​

A.J. Allen signed with the Ottawa REDBLACKS this off-season as a free agent (CFL.ca)
Anywhere you look on the REDBLACKS’ roster, you’re bound to see a new name. Nyles Morgan, C.J. Reavis, Brian Cole II, Brett Lauther, Dylan Wynn, Demerio Houston, Greg Bell, Ayden Eberhardt, Habakkuk Baldonado, Jake Maier, the list goes on. Ottawa wasn’t shy about making changes to their team this off-season.

With so many new faces in key spots, building chemistry will be just as important as talent to start the season.

“Give us three games where we’re all playing together, and then you’re gonna be able to either see some issues or see some real progress,” said Allen. “The only way to get better at football is by playing football. I don’t care what anybody says about off-season work yada, yada, yada. Training Camp is great, but you’re playing each other. Give us three (regular season) games before you start judging us too harshly.”

The defensive additions will be especially important after Ottawa finished second-last in points allowed (29.8 per game) and forced just 30 turnovers (last in CFL).

3. ALLEN TAKES ON A LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE​

Perhaps the biggest off-season signing for the REDBLACKS was the addition of linebacker A.J. Allen, who arrives in Ottawa with expectations to take on a leadership role.

“It’s my first time doing this (being a leader) and I’m okay to admit that,” Allen admitted. “I don’t know what that looks like. I’m not necessarily sure what is going to be required of me as of right now. Every team is different. Maybe they need a lead by example (kind of guy). Maybe they need a more communicative person. Who knows, but I think it’s gonna be my job to figure that out.”

His four years with the Saskatchewan Roughriders gave Allen plenty of examples to learn from as he shapes his own leadership style within Ottawa’s defence. One of the players who stood out was fellow linebacker Jameer Thurman, especially for his communication. Former CFL linebacker and current Riders’ assistant director of player personnel Larry Dean also left a lasting impression. And when it comes to passion and motivation, Allen looked no further than his head coach Corey Mace.

His play has already spoken for itself, finishing in the top 10 in the CFL in total defensive plays (109). The linebacker can play in the box against the run and in coverage, and can pressure quarterbacks as a blitzer, as evidenced by his four sacks, three tackles for loss, three interceptions and five knockdowns last season.

With plenty of leaders to use as the blue (or RED-and-BLACK) print, Allen’s development should only grow as he settles into Ottawa.

4. RUN THE ROCK​

William Stanback and Daniel Adeboboye ran the football for Ottawa by committee in 2025. Stanback took the majority of the handoffs, tallying 698 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games, but the team struggled to maintain a consistent run game.

Now enter Greg Bell.

Bell was the feature back in Hamilton last season and was one of six running backs to pass the 1k mark (1,038). He also added five touchdowns and tallied 5.6 yards per carry in 15 games in his breakout campaign. The 27-year-old is also dangerous in the passing game, adding 426 receiving yards to his resume in 2025.

If Ottawa wants to make some noise in the East Division, establishing the run game will be priority No. 1 and the addition of Bell gives them a physical back to wear down defences and control the tempo.

5. THE OFFENCE RUNS THROUGH DRU​

Injuries plagued Dru Brown last season, with the quarterback playing in just 11 games. But when he is in the huddle, he brings a totally different energy to the REDBLACKS.

Dinwiddie has a knack for bringing out the best in quarterbacks, just look at Bo Levi Mitchell, Nick Arbuckle and Chad Kelly. With a full, healthy season, the sky really is the limit for Brown.

He has the pieces around him to succeed, too. Brown has two 1,000-yard receivers at his disposal, with Justin Hardy signing an extension before hitting free agency this year and Eugene Lewis adding an extra year to his deal. Brown also has the arm to stretch the field and adding Eberhardt gives Ottawa another explosive, vertical threat after the former Lion averaged 19.2 yards per catch in 2025.

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: Winnipeg Blue Bombers​

It turns out what Zach Collaros had to say in early November was all we needed to know about this season in Winnipeg.

“I don’t think it’s the end of an era,” Collaros said on locker clean-out day a few days after the Blue Bombers fell 42-33 to Montreal in last year’s Eastern Semi-Final. It was the earliest finish to a season in Winnipeg since 2017 and the earliest since Collaros arrived a couple seasons later.

“I don’t even know how to categorize it,” he admitted. “If you’re grouping things together, when you make it to five straight Grey Cups and then you don’t, I guess it’s kind of a cutoff there. But I think we still have the pieces in place.”

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Indeed, the Blue Bombers finished 10-8 in 2025 and failed to reach the Grey Cup for the first time in six seasons. And while discussions were held on the outside about the merits of rebuilding or changing course, those conversations didn’t gain much traction in the Manitoba capital.

In fact, it’s clear Winnipeg believes much the same as Collaros: their championship window is still open.

With that said, here are five things to know about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this season.

1. STICKING AROUND​

Before the Bombers could make any important personnel decisions, they needed to figure out what the future looked like for two key decision makers. That didn’t take long, though. Less than two weeks after their season ended, Winnipeg signed head coach Mike O’Shea and general manager Kyle Walters to three-year extensions.

Attached at the hip since Walters hired O’Shea in December 2013, you just don’t see continuity like this in these two roles very often. O’Shea and Walters have presided over the most successful era in Bombers’ history, which is why signing extensions felt like a no-brainer.

“We’ve built something pretty damn special here, so you’d like to continue that,” O’Shea said at the time. “The season didn’t work out the way we wanted, but I think there’s still a lot of growth to be had and a lot of legs left in it.”

2. A MOTIVATED MAN​

Turning 38 in August and entering the final year of his contract, Collaros was always going to be an ongoing storyline in 2026. But coming off a frustrating season individually, and some harsh self-criticism to wrap it up, the intrigue surrounding the two-time Most Outstanding Player is that much higher.

“From a playing standpoint, I’m disappointed. I’m frustrated,” Collaros said on locker clean-out day in November.

“I don’t think we played good football this year on offence, and that starts with me. There were a lot of ups and downs, many times where I didn’t think we played up to our standard. That can’t be just directed in one place, and it’s very hard for me after games to point the finger at anybody but myself.”

Collaros started 13 games last season with a 6-7 record, racking up 3,048 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in the process. That’s two straight seasons where Collaros’ level has been slightly below the MOP form we’re used to. But with new weapons around him and a familiar face calling plays, optimism is high Collaros has plenty of high-level football in him.

3. IT’S TOMMY TIME​

That familiar face is Tommy Condell, who was brought in as offensive coordinator in late December. The move reunites Condell with Collaros from their days in Hamilton where they spent two seasons together in 2014 and 2015.

On their third coordinator in three years, the Bombers are banking on Condell’s experience and familiarity with Collaros to bring stability to an offence that was inconsistent in 2025. Now on his fifth CFL stop as an OC, Condell takes over a group that finished sixth in offensive points and ninth in passing yards last season.

4. KEEPING THE CORE INTACT​

When O’Shea and Collaros mention the pieces in place, they’re referring to Winnipeg’s core group of players. And as has been the case in recent years, the Blue Bombers went to work retaining those pieces over the off-season.

On offence, Winnipeg got to work early on their pending free agents. They started by signing tailback Brady Oliveira to a three-year extension. A few days later, the Bombers inked receiver Nic Demski to a two-year deal. To wrap it up, mainstay offensive linemen Stanley Bryant and Patrick Neufeld signed one-year extensions in January.

The Blue Bombers were even busier on the other side of the ball. Among the highlight extensions are future Hall of Fame defensive end Willie Jefferson, defensive back Evan Holm, and Redha Kramdi who emerged as one of the league’s best SAMs last year. Other extended defensive players include Nick Hallett, Deatrick Nichols, and linebacker Kyrie Wilson.

5. AN AGGRESSIVE OFF-SEASON​

Winnipeg wasn’t just busy with internal business. In fact, the Bombers were among the league’s busiest groups in free agency over the winter in what was another example of their commitment to contending this season.

It’s tough to look past Winnipeg’s signing of offensive lineman Jarell Broxton. Ranked as the league’s best left tackle last season by Pro Football Focus, Broxton joins a line that also includes future Hall of Fame tackle Bryant. Broxton should instantly upgrade a group that allowed 37 sacks last season, which was higher than the Bombers would have liked.

Also added to the fray on offence is receiver Tim White who was released by Hamilton after a fourth straight 1,000-yard season. On defence, Winnipeg added defensive tackle Jake Ceresna and linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox, both established defensive stars with what seems like plenty left in the tank.

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: Calgary Stampeders​

Consistency.

That’s a word that can apply pretty well to the Calgary Stampeders as they attempt to make it to a hometown Grey Cup game.

Sure, they have had some big changes to address in the off-season. Every CFL team does, every year.

But after an 11-7 campaign in 2025, it’s a team that has done a good job of keeping many key players on the roster, while augmenting losses with shrewd free agent signings.

Here are five things to know about the 2026 Calgary Stampeders.

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SOME LOSSES BUT OVERALL A GOOD JOB OF RETENTION​

The Stampeders suffered some significant losses in the off-season, no doubt.

Defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings, linebacker Jacob Roberts and receiver Damien Alford all headed to the NFL and receiver Dominique Rhymes retired.

However, lots of crew members from a bounce-back season in 2025 were kept in red and white.

Defensive lineman Clarence Hicks, SAM Derrick Moncrief and middle linebacker Marquel Lee, running back Dedrick Mills and receivers Clarke Barnes and Erik Brooks were among 15 possible free agents who signed extensions with the Stampeders.

And consider this too; The Stampeders retained all their coaches from 2025 with the exception of quarterbacks coach Dakota Prukop, who has been replaced by Jarious Jackson.

It will be interesting to keep an eye on just what Jackson’s partnership with quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. can bring.

YEAR TWO OF VERNON AT THE HELM​

Speaking of Adams Jr., he had a pretty good 2025 as Calgary’s starting quarterback, no doubt, finishing fifth in passing yardage (4,247) in 17 games.

But there is something to be said about decompressing after a first season with a new team, and heading into year two with the comfort that familiarity affords.

That should be an exciting prospect for Stampeders fans, with ‘Big Play VA’ still well within his quarterbacking prime at the age of 33.

There’s change in the pass-catching corps, it’s true, with the retirement of Rhymes.

But the Stampeders still have the above-mentioned Brooks and Barnes in the fold, as well as Jalen Philpot and Tevin Jones.

If Reggie Begelton is all the way back from injury? That’s a huge boost.

And so is the addition of former Argo receiver Dejon Brissett, coming off his best-ever season, one in which he led Toronto in receiving yards (907).

HOW’S REGGIE? HOW’S FLO?​

A rather important part of how the Stampeders will tick on both sides of the ball in 2026 will be how two of their high-performing, team-leading veterans are after suffering significant, season-ending injuries in 2025.

Receiver Reggie Begelton (5,595 yards in 88 career games prior to 2025) went down with a knee injury in a Week 2 game against Toronto. After rehabbing for months, he’s been out on the field running routes this spring. He’ll have eyes all over him early in camp.

Defensive end Folarin Orimolade (30 sacks and 124 tackles in 78 career games) suffered an Achilles injury last September and it is unclear as to whether he’ll be ready for the opening of training camp, and if not, how much game action he’ll have to miss to start the season.

THE RETURN GAME GETS ADDED JET FUEL​

A rather large signing for the Stamps this past off-season was that of the very fast and very shifty Tyreik McAllister.

McAllister returns to the CFL after two seasons away, following a spectacular rookie campaign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that saw him then sign with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.

With the Ticats in 2023, McAllister returned kicks for 1,037 yards, punts for 602 more and missed field goals for 408, including a touchdown.

Calgary was eighth in both average punt and kick-off return yards in 2025, but the addition of McAllister should help greatly in changing that.

And not JUST that.

When he was with Hamilton, McAllister also pulled in 27 catches for 364 yards and 13 rushes for 52 yards, meaning he can spice the chili on offence too.

ALL SET AT CENTRE — AND THEN SOME​

Centre Chris Fortin was the Stampeders’ nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie in 2025 (Arthur Ward/CFL.ca)
Last year, the Stampeders faced adversity almost straight away, when their starting centre, Bryce Bell, went down with a season-ending shoulder injury in game two.

Enter rookie Chris Fortin, the team’s first round pick in the 2025 CFL Canadian Draft. The rookie was splendid, winding up as the Stamps’ nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie.

With Fortin under contract and with Bell signing an extension last December, the Stampeders are what you’d call very comfortable with their situation in the centre of the O-line.

And Bell, entering his sixth year with the Stampeders, has also played guard and both tackle positions during his pro career, making him an important, adaptable man to have on board.

Fortin is too, in that regard, having played tackle, guard and centre while with the University of Connecticut.

With this duo, Calgary has options.

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: BC Lions​

The BC Lions enter 2026 hungry, motivated, and with their eye on the prize.

And while most teams are feeling similar ahead of a brand-new campaign, the Lions know how close they came to playing for the 112th Grey Cup last year. And when a team falls short by the smallest of margins like BC did against Saskatchewan in the Western Final, there’s really nothing else to focus on the following season.

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“I think we’re going to hit the ground running and hopefully pick up right where we left off,” quarterback Nathan Rourke told bclions.com earlier this month.

“We’re a super hungry group and we want to continue to build on where we ended last year and obviously, we’ve got a bittersweet taste in our mouth. So, the motivation is there. We felt like we should have won it and we just didn’t make enough plays.”

With the majority of their core retained, BC will enter 2026 as a 113th Grey Cup frontrunner after finishing 11-7 last year. And it feels like anything other than celebrating their first championship since 2011 will feel like a disappointment on the west coast.

Here are five things to know about the BC Lions this season.

1. HERE TO STAY​

Regardless of his contract situation, Rourke was going to be one of the most prominent stories in BC this year. After all, he’s coming off a stellar campaign that saw him take home the CFL double as Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian. But seeing Rourke sign a multi-year contract extension through 2028 is a massive boost for the Lions.

It immediately takes away any potential distractions as Rourke was entering the final year of his current deal otherwise. And perhaps more importantly, it’s a message sent to the rest of the locker room that one of the league’s very best players is committed for the long run. You can’t tell me that doesn’t make a positive impact, even if it’s minor.

And just in case, let’s refresh what Rourke accomplished in 2025. Last year saw Rourke finish second overall with 5,290 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, despite missing two games early on. Rourke also led the league with a stellar 112.2 passer rating and 10.6 average per attempt, while our friends at Pro Football Focus ranked him as their top-rated quarterback.

2. THE NUMBER ONE OFFENCE RETURNS​

BC led the league last season in offensive points per game, touchdowns, net offence, and passing yards. And according to Rourke, this group is just getting started in year two with head coach and offensive coordinator Buck Pierce at the helm.

“We’ve kind of scratched the surface on what we can do as an offence,” Rourke admitted.

“(There are) a lot of things we can improve on, a lot of things we can expand on. The things that Buck has done over the course of this offence the last couple of years, when he was building in Winnipeg, there are things we haven’t dived into yet. And so, I’m really excited to explore those a little bit in camp and as you go into year two, you kind of figure things out.”

Along with Rourke, the Lions are bringing back a huge swath of their offensive core. For instance, Keon Hatcher Sr. led the league with 1,688 receiving yards and signed a two-year extension in December. Justin McInnis finished third at 1,256 yards and was already under contract. Tailback James Butler, coming off a 1,213-yard campaign, also extended as did star tackle Dejon Allen.

It’s rather scary if this is what’s considered to be just getting started.

3. THE BEST IN THE BIZ​

Lower Mainland product Sean Whyte will be inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame one day soon. But before we cross that bridge, one of the most accurate kickers in league history still has plenty of juice left in the tank. Don’t forget how crucial Whyte’s automatic accuracy is when talking about this Lions offence.

Signed to a one-year extension in January, Whyte is coming off one of the greatest kicking seasons in CFL history. Whyte led the league with a 95.1 per cent accuracy rate, which is the second highest mark of all-time behind Lewis Ward’s rookie season with Ottawa (98.1 per cent) in 2018. Even if we’re not talking about a repeat campaign, you can’t overstate how important Whyte is to BC’s game plan.

4. REVAMPED AND READY​

The Lions aren’t resting on their laurels despite a solid 2025 on the defensive side of the ball. Key pieces like Mathieu Betts, Tibo Debaillie, and Jackson Findlay were already under contract entering the off-season. From there, BC went to work on retaining important players, with Jonah Tavai, Ben Hladik, T.J. Lee, and Garry Peters all signing extensions.

And defensive coordinator Mike Benevides has some new playmakers, too. The Lions wasted little time in signing star linebacker Darnell Sankey after he was released by Montreal in December. The same was true with defensive tackle Casey Sayles who was signed in January just days after being released in Hamilton. Finally, veterans Jamal Parker and Dionté Ruffin were added to an already deep defensive backfield.

5. BIG SHOES TO FILL​

BC’s most significant off-season loss was on the offensive line as 2025 All-CFL left tackle Jarell Broxton signed with the Blue Bombers. The anchor of a line that allowed a league-best 20 sacks last season, Broxton also finished last season as PFF’s top ranked left tackle. It won’t be an easy task replacing a player like Broxton.

Importantly, however, the Lions signed Allen to a two-year extension as we mentioned earlier. Keeping a two-time All-CFL right tackle and former Most Outstanding Lineman award winner was crucial. And then there’s Isiah Cage, who signed in February. A former teammate of Allen’s, Cage started 24 games at left tackle with Toronto in 2023 and 2024 but didn’t play last season.

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: Montreal Alouettes​

As the 2026 season approaches, the defending East Division champion Montreal Alouettes can feel secure in the knowledge that they have a vast swath of veteran star power returning to their line-up.

While roster consistency generally prevails in Montreal, that does not mean the Alouettes are not looking at a few significant changes dotted throughout the line-up.

One major change couldn’t be helped, as a surprise retirement will force the Als to look for an answer in the secondary.

Other changes — like those to the middle linebacker, receiver and return positions — are by design, with the team hoping they can continue if not surpass the productivity of the veterans they have said ‘so long’ to.

Here are five things to know about the 2026 Montreal Alouettes.

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1. THEY APPEAR TO HAVE FOUND SOME COMFORT AT THE BACK-UP QUARTERBACK POSITION​

Quarterback Davis Alexander’s 2025 season was plagued by a hamstring injury, originally occurring early in the season and then being aggravated at least three more times as the year wore on.

He appeared in just eight regular season games and when he wasn’t on the field, the Montreal offence suffered greatly.

When he was out there, the Als’ offence moved very fluidly.

So, job one for the Als this season is to keep Alexander healthy and in action, that is painfully clear.

Job two — which was actually job one during the off-season — was to ensure the Alouettes had a suitable back-up in place behind their franchise QB, one who they could be fairly certain could keep Montreal marching when they have the ball.

Out are last year’s understudies; McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Caleb Evans, James Morgan and Shea Patterson.

In signing former REDBLACKS quarterback Dustin Crum, the Alouettes should feel more comfortable about QB2 than they did in 2025.

In 2025, Crum appeared in 17 games for the REDBLACKS, including six starts, throwing for 1,771 yards, six touchdowns and only two interceptions.

It certainly looked like the 27-year-old emerged as more than a run-first, checkdown-pass quarterback.

2. A BIG CHANGE AT THE HEART OF THE DEFENCE​

The Alouettes will have a new look in the middle of their defence in 2026, after releasing veteran Darnell Sankey — an East Division All-CFL linebacker last season — in December.

After watching 2024 first round pick Geoffrey Cantin-Arku play so well in a rotational role in his first two seasons (71 tackles, nine sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 36 games), the Alouettes decided it was time for the native of Lévis, QC to take over at middle linebacker.

It’s assumed the 27-year-old will get every opportunity to make the position his own this season, but the Als recently brought in a little insurance in the form of veteran linebacker Micah Awe, the 2025 CFL tackles leader (114) who was released by the BC Lions after they’d gone out and signed Sankey.

3. DIRECTLY BEHIND THE HEART OF THE DEFENCE, ANOTHER BIG CHANGE​

Defensive back Jonathan Sutherland returns to Canada looking to make his mark in Montreal’s secondary (Penn State)
Veteran free safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy called it a career earlier this winter, announcing his retirement after five terrific seasons in Montreal, where he was twice named an All-CFL safety (2023 and 2024).

Fast, smart and hard-hitting, Dequoy will not be at all easy to replace but the Als need to do it and they have a number of candidates they can look at including their fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft, Jonathan Sutherland.

Sutherland spent the last three years looking to lock down an NFL gig in places like Seattle, Las Vegas and New York, but signed with the Als this past January.

In addition to Sutherland, Montreal has second-year man Nate Beauchemin in the mix as well as last year’s back-up to Dequoy, Arthur Hamlin.

4. THE RECEIVING CORPS GETS A NEW COAT OF PAINT​

The Als still have stars like Tyson Philpot and Tyler Snead and Cole Spieker remaining in the line-up for 2026, but the team did part ways with a couple of other familiar faces this past off-season, when they released Austin Mack (now in Edmonton) and opted not to re-sign Charleston Rambo, who remains a free agent.

So, two of five receiving spots are in play this spring, and the Alouettes appear prepared to fill those vacancies well.

Alexander Hollins, who served as a depth player for Montreal last season, was extended this off-season and he is a prime candidate to step back into a starter’s role, a role he had with the BC Lions in 2023 and 2024 (139 receptions for 2,110 yards in 34 games).

In free agency, the Als signed former Saskatchewan and Winnipeg receiver Jerreth Sterns, who is expected to step up after catching 131 passes for 1,471 yards in 37 appearances over the last three seasons.

5. GOODBYE TO A BURNER, HELLO TO ANOTHER ONE​

There are changes afoot in the Montreal return game for 2026.

James Letcher Jr., Montreal’s primary return man over the previous two-and-a-half seasons after he replaced Chandler Worthy midway through the 2023 campaign, was released by the Als just ahead of free agency, landing with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

In Letcher’s place, the Alouettes have another established return star in their midst, signing former Ottawa REDBLACK DeVonte Dedmon to a one year deal.

Dedmon averaged than 26.1 yards per kick return over 42 games in six seasons with Ottawa, and 13.1 yards per punt return, with three punt return TDs, and three kick return TDs.

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: Saskatchewan Roughriders​

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are coming off one of the most memorable seasons in recent franchise history.

In 2025, the team finished first in the West Division, looked like one of the most complete rosters in the league and capped it all off by winning the 112th Grey Cup in head coach Corey Mace’s second year at the helm.

Now, with expectations sky-high and a target firmly on their back, the Roughriders turn the page to 2026.

Here are five things to know about this year’s Saskatchewan Roughriders.

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1. NO RESTING ON OUR LAURELS​

The Roughriders didn’t escape free agency untouched.

Linebacker A.J. Allen, defensive back C.J. Reavis and defensive lineman Malik Carney all moved on, taking with them key snaps from a championship defence. But Saskatchewan made it a priority to keep its foundation intact.

That meant locking in the players who defined their identity on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Trevor Harris returns to lead the offence, while weapons like receiver Samuel Emilus and receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker remain in place. Up front, offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick anchors the line, while running back AJ Ouellette continues to power the ground game. Defensively, the likes of defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr., linebacker Jameer Thurman, defensive lineman Mike Rose and defensive back Tevaughn Campbell ensure continuity where it matters most.

For Harris, that approach starts with the tone set by general manager Jeremy O’Day.

“I think there’s a tone set from the top down,” Harris told CFL.ca. “After you win a Grey Cup, it’s not, ‘good job guys, let’s kick our feet up.’ Jeremy O’Day set the tone. AJ Ouellette is back, Jermarcus Hardrick is back, I’m back, Schaffer-Baker, KeeSean, Sam, you can go across the board.

“On defence, Mike Rose is back, Jameer Thurman extended, Rolan Milligan extended, Tevaughn Campbell — they went out and got after it. There was no resting on our laurels.”

2. BACK-TO-BACK ASPIRATIONS​

Winning a Grey Cup is one thing. Doing it again is a completely different challenge.

The last team to win back-to-back championships was the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who captured titles in 2019 and 2021, with the 2020 season cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last team to do it in consecutive years was the Montreal Alouettes in 2009 and 2010.

For Saskatchewan, the challenge won’t just be replicating what worked, it’ll be adjusting to a league that now views them as the team to beat.

3. AT LEAST ONE MORE​

If the Roughriders are going to make another Grey Cup run, it will once again start with quarterback Trevor Harris.

The Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Player delivered one of the most efficient seasons in the league in 2025, leading all quarterbacks in completion percentage while operating an offence built on ball control and limiting mistakes.

At this stage of his career, Harris offers a level of command, decision-making and leadership that few can match. He’s the perfect fit for what Saskatchewan wants to do offensively, and the extension ensures that window remains open.

Pro Football Focus metrics back that up. Harris finished the 2025 season with a 90.0 offensive grade, the highest among CFL quarterbacks, reinforcing just how efficient and consistent he was throughout the year. It’s another indicator that, even at this stage of his career, he remains one of the league’s most reliable performers under centre.

4. THIS IS NOT EVEN MY FINAL FORM​

As dominant as Saskatchewan looked at times in 2025, there’s an argument to be made they haven’t reached their peak.

Injuries forced key players like Emilus, Schaffer-Baker and Harris himself to miss time, yet the team still found ways to win. That speaks to both their depth and their ability to adapt throughout the season.

With better health and additional reinforcements, including defensive lineman James Vaughters, there’s a very real possibility the Roughriders could be even better in 2026. For the rest of the league, that’s not exactly comforting.

5. QB2 PLEASE STEP UP​

That’s not to say everything is settled heading into the new season.

With veteran quarterback Jake Maier departing for the Ottawa REDBLACKS, the Roughriders are left with an important question behind Harris. The backup quarterback role is critical, especially for a team with championship aspirations.

Tommy Stevens brings value in short-yardage situations, but the competition for the No. 2 job remains open. Jack Coan, Brayden Schager and Jordan McLeod are all in the mix, while Kurtis Rourke, selected in the 2025 CFL Draft, represents more of a long-term investment.

How Saskatchewan settles that spot could end up being one of the most important storylines of their season.

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: Toronto Argonauts​

The Toronto Argonauts are one of the most intriguing teams heading into 2026.

The Argos went from Grey Cup Champions to a five-win campaign, and we all knew that would come with some major changes over the off-season.

What we didn’t see coming was 2x Grey Cup champion head coach Ryan Dinwiddie taking a general manager/head coaching role with the Argos division rival, the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

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Then there was major movement within the roster as general manager Michael Clemons and company try to rebuild a roster that can contend in a much stronger East Division with the improvements in Ottawa and All-CFL quarterback play in Montreal and Hamilton.

There is definitely plenty to know ahead of the Argonauts’ 2026 season.

So let’s dig into the five things you need to know about the Toronto Argonauts before CFL Kickoff.

1. NEW BOSS​

Mike Miller steps into the head coaching office as Ryan Dinwiddie heads to Ottawa.

What should you expect from Mike Miller as the head coach? How are we to know? Miller has never been a head coach despite a lengthy coaching career that goes from university to the NFL and through the CFL.

But don’t sleep on a veteran coach with little head coaching experience. I’ll reference back to another Miller that I got to cover closely in Saskatchewan. Ken Miller took over for a Grey Cup champion head coach in Saskatchewan as a bit of an underwhelming hire. Many, at the time, questioned how you follow up Kent Austin with a career assistant, but the late Miller proved to be the solid steady head coach they needed. They would appear in back-to-back Grey Cups and start a core group of players that would eventually win the 2013 Grey Cup, two years after Miller’s retirement.

So don’t sleep on Mike Miller being the steady force the Argos need after a tumultuous off-season. He’s got a great resume of working with quarterbacks to career seasons like McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Chad Kelly and Nick Arbuckle.

Miller has seen it all in football so nothing should rattle him. His toughest challenge will be building a culture that can return the Argonauts to their championship ways with a remade roster.

2. THE RETURN OF CHAD​

You probably thought I’d start here.

Chad Kelly IS BACK!

After a CFL Most Outstanding Player Award it has been a rough ride for Kelly. There has been a suspension and significant injury, so Chad Kelly has missed more games than played over the last two seasons, including all of 2025.

But now Toronto has their franchise quarterback behind centre this season. I do believe it’s a legitimate question to ponder what Kelly is going to look like after that serious leg injury and all the time away from football.

He’ll still be able to make the throws, but will he be able to move around and extend plays, which was a big part of his brilliance three seasons ago?

There is a tonne of pressure on Chad Kelly to perform. All eyes will be focused on him to help lift this team back to relevance in 2026.

3. OLD FRIENDS FOR A NEW HOPE​

I’m going off the field again with the people working with Michael Clemons to rebuild the Argonauts.

In come John Hufnagel and Jim Barker.

Hufnagel was the architect of the Calgary Stampeders near dynasty from 2008 through 2019. Hufnagel brought in so much talent and if you look at the coaching staffs around the CFL, you might notice a few Calgary Stampeder connections; Dave Dickenson, Corey Mace, Ryan Dinwiddie and Mark Kilam were all under the tutelage of Huf in Calgary and three of the four have Grey Cup championships as head coaches, while Kilam enters just his second season in Edmonton.

Jim Barker has won five Grey Cups as a coach or in football operations and will bring another level of expertise on team building for this Argonauts group.

Pinball Clemons knows one thing about winning. It’s more about the people around you than it is about yourself on any team, so he’s made sure he’s surrounding himself with championship people to help guide Toronto into a new era with Mike Miller on the sideline.

4. REBUILT LINEBACKERS​

Wynton McManis is gone to Hamilton, which will be hard to watch for those who loved watching him wear the Double Blue, but the team made sure Cameron Judge got some help in the linebacking corps.

Adarius Pickett and Robert Priester return to Toronto after a visit to Ottawa, as they’ll be battling for playing time at coverage linebacker but will also have versatility to line up in multiple areas.

The bonus for the Argonauts is Isaac Darkangelo has played considerable snaps due to injuries and piled up 60 tackles last season and continued his aggressive play with 22 special teams tackles. Darkangelo has the nose to find ball carriers. He also forced four fumbles in 2025, so he’ll have a chance to shine without McManis in front of him on the depth chart.

This group does need to be better as they were the second-worst run defence in the league as too many teams were able to run on the Argos.

5. RUN THE ROCK!​

If you look at one part of this roster at training camp, you notice it is a wide open competition to find offensive linemen to best protect Chad Kelly and open up holes in the run game.

The Argos averaged just 51.6 yards per game in rushing. That’s over 30 yards per game lower than the next lowest. That was just not good enough.

So, in come some new blood to push the veterans.

I’m most intrigued by the impact Dakoda Shepley will have for this offensive line. The 31-year-old was the fifth overall selection of the Roughriders in 2018. He played one year for the Riders and was the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Rookie and then it was off to the NFL for the next six seasons. He didn’t get to play a lot but was going up against some tough talent to stick for that long down south.

He’ll bolster the interior of the line and then on the outside they have brought in numerous tackles to improve the group.

This all comes at a time during an open competition at running back for the Argonauts. They’ve already released the incumbent Spencer Brown, so they’ll have a new running back to showcase and need to find a new star to help ease the pressure we’ve already discussed on Chad Kelly.

 

[Cnotes53]

5 Things to Know for 2026: Edmonton Elks​

The Edmonton Elks have been outsiders for far too long, now, missing the Grey Cup playoffs for five seasons straight.

In those five seasons, the Elks started out 3-3, 2-4, 0-6, 0-6, and, last year, 1-5.

Each year, changes came and hopes were raised, with the team looking improved as training camp opened.

On paper, at least.

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» Subscribe to the CFL’s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates



After another miserable start in 2025, Edmonton began to turn things around by mid-season, and with plenty of returning players gearing up for 2026, as well as some eye-catching free agency additions, hopes are once again raised.

Could this year be different?

Here are five things to know about the Edmonton Elks.

NO QUESTION AT QB​

It’s Cody Fajardo’s team from Day 1, in 2026.

Last year, the Elks had the veteran quarterback on their roster as backup to the young, inconsistent Tre Ford but Fajardo took over as the starter in Week 8. The Elks responded with a more consistent offence and a record of 6-7 under Fajardo, with four of those losses coming against Saskatchewan, Calgary and Hamilton (twice) by a total of just 11 points.

This time, Fajardo comes into the campaign with a full off-season of prep work and of playbook digestion, and the knowledge that he is the undisputed QB1 from the outset.

Oh, and if there’s any unforeseen problem with the 34-year-old as the starter, the Elks went out and got former Ticat Taylor Powell to be the backup so the team is solid, solid, solid at that most crucial position.


SPEAKING OF CONSISTENCY: YEAR TWO OF J.C. SHERRITT
It’s not just the Edmonton offence that’s looking to extend a momentum-building rise from the second half of last season.

Coordinator J.C. Sherritt saw his defence struggle mightily at the beginning of last year, but like the offence, Edmonton’s defence started to get grooving in the last couple of months.

2025 was Sherritt’s rookie season as a DC. You would expect having the consistency of another year of his schemes and leadership to pay off for a defence that has an awful lot going for it, talent-wise.

Led by the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player, halfback Kordell Jackson (10th in the CFL with 94 defensive plays, tops among DBs), the Elks return a great many of their starters from a year ago and so this is a group that is well-versed in Sherritt’s plans right from the start.

The linebacking corps is strong enough that the Elks could afford to say goodbye to veteran Nyles Morgan, traded to Ottawa after the 2025 rise of Joel Dublanko.

They’ll hope to get more out of the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2024, Nick Anderson, who missed all but seven games last year due to injury. In his absence, rookie linebacker Brock Mogensen stepped up, and he returns for 2026 as does SAM linebacker Kenneth Logan Jr., coming off his own impressive rookie season.

But, wait. There’s more.

GOT A NEW CRUSHER COMING OFF THE EDGE​

The Elks’ defence did not exactly rack up the sacks in 2025, finishing in a tie for seventh with a total of 24, just one ahead of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who brought up the rear with 23.

There’s little doubt that a goal for the D is to get to the quarterback much more in 2026, and the addition of free agent defensive end Malik Carney should be exceptionally helpful in that regard.

The 30-year-old had a banner season in Saskatchewan last year, totalling 39 tackles and a career-high eight sacks, while being a problem for his opponents on every snap he played.

In Carney, the Elks have a big time difference-maker on the field for 2026.

Will his constant hurrying of opposing quarterbacks lead to more interceptions on the back end?

A REUNION SHOULD BE A BIG BOOST FOR THE PASSING GAME​

When the Montreal Alouettes released receiver Austin Mack in January, it came as a surprise to many.

A happy surprise for the Elks, who snapped him up and have reunited him with quarterback Cody Fajardo, with whom Mack tasted his greatest CFL success so far.

With Fajardo at the Montreal helm, Mack caught 78 passes for 1,154 yards in 2023, the year the Alouettes went on a late-season run, topping out with a 110th Grey Cup victory, a game in which the two combined for 104 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Last season, though, was a tough one for Mack, with injuries limiting him in both regular season and post-season production.

The Elks hope that a new start — with an old pal — will see a return to dominating form for the 28-year-old.

AN UPGRADED O-LINE​

Fajardo was sacked 40 times in 2025 and he took off running 35 times as well. Both those numbers were league highs and I’ll remind you that he only started 13 games, playing just a wee bit in two additional games prior to being named the starter.

Overall, the Elks allowed 52 sacks, standing the team eighth in the category, ahead of only Toronto (56).

So, in free agency, Edmonton went shopping for beef and found one-stop satisfaction in Hamilton, signing former Ticats Coulter Woodmansey, Brendan Bordner and Jordan Murray.

Woodmansey has already had Elks’ head coach Mark Kilam cracking a smile, bringing some high-level competitive juices to the early days of camp.

“He’s bringing a lot of nasty out there, and that’s why he’s here,” Kilam told reporters.

If the players manning the wall in front of Fajardo — and running back Justin Rankin — perform up to expectations, this could be special year for the Edmonton offence.

 

[Cnotes53]

1 thing to watch for every CFL team in 2026​

The beauty of every CFL training camp rests in the unblemished hope that abounds in every huddle and every locker room across the land.

The standings are 0-0. Every team is on equal footing. New playbooks look promising on paper. New faces feel like answers to old problems.

And then the opening whistle blasts and the games begin.

Before CFL Kickoff on June 4, here’s one thing to watch for every team.

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BC LIONS | CAN THE BIG BOYS UP FRONT PROTECT NATHAN ROURKE’S BLIND SIDE?​

Jarell Broxton left a massive hole on the BC offensive line this off-season by signing with Winnipeg.

The six-foot-five, 325-pound behemoth constantly steered defensive linemen to the inside, allowing Nathan Rourke the time and space to throw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions last season. Offensive linemen rarely generate headlines — unless they mess up — but Broxton’s impact can’t be understated.

Kory Woodruff has been getting the first look as his replacement, bouncing outside from his regular spot at guard. Woodruff says he sees Broxton as a big brother, and he credits the All-CFL lineman for teaching him over the last few years. But Woodruff, 26, says he’s ready to take the torch.


CALGARY STAMPEDERS | CAN THE STAMPS SUCCEED UNDER PRESSURE AS GREY CUP HOSTS?
Head coach/general manager Dave Dickenson is no stranger to the extra scrutiny that comes with hosting the Grey Cup, and Calgary is hungry for a return to the championship game for the first time since 2018.

True to their long-standing philosophy, the Stampeders held off on making big changes during the off-season in favour of sticking with the long-term game plan that features savvy veteran Vernon Adams Jr. at quarterback, bulldozer Dedrick Mills at tailback and the trio of Reggie Begelton, Jalen Philpot and Tevin Jones at receiver.

On defence, the Stamps are trying to fill the massive hole left by Jaylon Hutchings departing for the NFL. But overall, the 2026 Stampeders look much like the 2025 Stampeders, and Dickenson is banking on those players giving Calgary fans a chance to cheer on the Stamps at a hometown Grey Cup.

EDMONTON ELKS | CAN THE ELKS AVOID ANOTHER AWFUL START? ​

It doesn’t take a football guru to determine every team wants to start the season off right with confidence-building wins and valuable points in the standings (they count no matter when you earn them.) But the importance of a strong start is arguably highest in Edmonton with the Elks in Year 2 of the Mark Kilam era.

In his first season as head coach, Kilam’s Elks posted a 1-6 record through the first seven games, a slight improvement from Edmonton’s 0-7 record in 2024 and an abysmal 0-9 start in 2023.

From the outside, there’s plenty of reason for optimism for a team that last qualified for the playoffs in 2019. Quarterback Cody Fajardo is dependable, accurate and a proven winner with two Grey Cup titles on his resume. Tailback Justin Rankin is a top-flight threat on the ground. The addition of sackmaster Malik Carney from Saskatchewan should aid the defence. But the Elks need to pull it all together and win before the back-to-school sales start this summer.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS | CAN SASKATCHEWAN AVOID THE CUSTOMARY GREY CUP HANGOVER?​

Let’s face it. A Grey Cup championship is a big deal for any team. But in football-mad Saskatchewan, a Grey Cup title means endless free drinks, autograph signings and public adulation — along with an unspoken (or spoken) demand to do it all over again.

It’s up to reigning CFL Coach of the Year Corey Mace to steer his club away from the possible letdown and train their focus on the task at hand. Most of the big names are back on offence for a shot at another title, including quarterback Trevor Harris, running back AJ Ouellette and tackle Jermarcus Hardrick. On defence, the picture is fuzzier due to the departures of key cogs such as Malik Carney, Habakkuk Baldonado and A.J. Allen.


WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS | CAN WINNIPEG DEFY FATHER TIME?
Head coach Mike O’Shea openly balks at anyone who suggests the Blue Bombers field too many players beyond their best-before dates, including quarterback Zach Collaros (37), left tackle Stanley Bryant (40) and defensive end Willie Jefferson (35).

The Bombers made five straight Grey Cup appearances for a reason before failing to advance in 2025, and O’Shea believes their championship window is still open. General manager Kyle Walters was aggressive in free agency, with his biggest splash coming with the signing of offensive tackle Jarell Broxton from BC to help protect Collaros and open holes for running back Brady Oliveira. Speedy receiver Tim White is another key addition, moving over from Hamilton.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS: CAN HAMILTON FINALLY TURN PROMISE INTO PAYOFF?​

The Tiger-Cats finished the 2025 season in heartbreaking fashion on a walk-off field goal by Montreal with no time left on the clock in the Eastern Final.

The Tiger-Cats last hoisted the Grey Cup in 1999, and there’s every reason to believe this could be the year for the long-suffering Steeltown faithful — they’ve heard this refrain many times before.

Bo Levi Mitchell is back at quarterback. Standout receiver Kenny Lawler signed a contract extension through 2028. Linebacker Wynton McManis, a three-time Grey Cup champion, left the archrival Toronto Argonauts to join defensive end Julian Howsare and co. in Hamilton. Optimism abounds in Hamilton, but they need to close the deal.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES: IS DAVIS ALEXANDER TRULY HEALTHY?​

No one can doubt Davis Alexander’s ability to play through pain. After all, he very nearly willed the Alouettes to the Grey Cup while playing with a gnarly hamstring last season.

Alexander, 27, declared himself 100 per cent healthy on the first day of training camp, but he only lasted 15 minutes in the first preseason game before leaving for precautionary reasons with an apparent injury to his right knee.

Alexander brings a swagger and a confidence to the point the Alouettes clearly believe they can win any game with him on the field. Without him, it’s up to backup Dustin Crum to get the ball into the hands of his receivers and hold the line.


OTTAWA REDBLACKS | CAN RYAN DINWIDDIE TURN THE TIDE?
It’s officially the Ryan Dinwiddie show in Ottawa this year after the CFL’s Coach of the Year in 2023 left the familiar confines of Toronto to become head coach and general manager in the nation’s capital.

Dinwiddie wasted no time in retooling his roster by luring explosive running back Greg Bell from Hamilton, along with linebacker A.J. Allen and defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado from Saskatchewan. Receiver Eugene Lewis is a standout and it will be Jake Maier at quarterback for Dinwiddie’s new-look lineup.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS | CAN THE ARGOS SILENCE THE NAYSAYERS?​

If adversity builds championship teams, the Argos might very well be hoisting the Grey Cup come Nov. 15 in Calgary. During the CFL’s content capture in April, players anonymously ranked the strongest teams – not including their own – heading into the 2026 season. The Argos ranked ninth. With a new head coach in Mike Miller at the helm, the Argos don’t play their first regular season home game until Week 10 due to the World Cup in Toronto.

Chad Kelly — no stranger himself to challenging circumstances — is back as the starting quarterback for the Argos after missing all of last year recovering from a nasty leg injury he suffered during the 2024 Eastern Final. Kelly was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023, so a return to form could mean big things for a team that some have counted out before the opening snap.

 

[Cnotes53]

A.J. Allen’s top 5 running backs in the CFL​

Who better to ask about the best running backs in the CFL than one of the defenders responsible for stopping them?

During the CFL’s off-season content capture in April, Ottawa linebacker A.J. Allen sat in the analyst chair to rank the toughest running backs he’s faced so far in his career.

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A notable name was left off this list, AJ Ouellette, the league’s second-leading rusher in 2025 (1,222 yards). There was a simple explanation.

“I can’t say AJ Ouellette because that’s my dog and I haven’t played against him yet,” smiled Allen of his former teammate.

Here are Allen’s toughest running backs to play against.

1. JUSTIN RANKIN | EDMONTON ELKS​

The first name on Allen’s list was Edmonton Elks running back Justin Rankin.

The five-foot-10, 210-pounder was difficult to stop in 2025, especially when he got into the open field. His 90-yard rush against Calgary in Week 14 was the longest by any running back last season and he led the league in rushes longer than 20 yards (12).

“(He has) speed, power, ball carrier vision, ball control, (he) never fumbles, and he can do it running and passing,” said Allen. “They can just give him a check down and he’s sliding to the crib.”

2. DEDRICK MILLS | CALGARY STAMPEDERS​

Dedrick Mills, the workhorse in Cowtown, was next on Allen’s list. Mills finished last season with 1,409 yards on the ground, earning the rushing crown. He was also counted on to move the chains, recording 46 runs of 10+ yards, 15 more than second-place Brady Oliveira.

Mills was tough to tackle, forcing 51 missed tackles in 2025, just two fewer than leader Rankin, according to PFF.

“He’s physical and he’s one of those guys that, no matter how many times you hit him, he’s gonna get back up,” Allen said. “He’s just fine taking bruising.”

3. JAMES BUTLER | BC LIONS​

James Butler enjoyed the best season of his career in 2025 (1,213 yards) and he impressed Allen enough to put him at No. 3 on his list.

Butler is a dual-threat running back, taking handoffs and catching passes out of the backfield. The 31-year-old is also tough to tackle, finishing just behind Rankin and Mills in missed tackles forced (43), according to PFF.

“I like James as a running back because he can do running and passing, and then he can make people miss,” said Allen. “He’s always in balance, so he’s able to shift people and go different directions a lot.”

4. BRADY OLIVEIRA | WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS​

When explaining what makes Brady Oliveira special and why he’s been included in the linebacker’s rankings, Allen only had one thing to say.

“They give him the ball a ton,” laughed Allen.

Oliveira has been the engine that powers the Blue Bombers offence since he became the feature running back, and 2025 was no exception. Known for his bully-ball style of play, the five-foot-10, 226-pounder took 201 handoffs last season, racking up 1,163 yards in 15 games. Winnipeg also relied on Oliveira in checkdown situations, hauling in a career-high 61 passes last season for 546 yards, 466 of which came after the catch.

Strong in pass protection as well, Oliveira has been a trusted outlet for the Bombers’ offence.

5. GREG BELL | OTTAWA REDBLACKS​

Allen finishes his list with his new teammate, who’s new to REDBLACKS colours too: Greg Bell.

Bell was the starting running back in Hamilton in 2025 before he signed as a free agent in the nation’s capital. He surpassed 1,000 yards in his second season in the CFL, quickly turning heads.

And that’s not the only thing quick about Bell.

His acceleration allows him to pull away before linebackers can take him down, making him dangerous if he gets into space.

“He’s extremely fast and he gets up to speed very quickly,” Allen said. “That’s definitely something that can mess with your tackling.”

 

[Cnotes53]

Tuesday’s 6-pack
Teams with the fewest stolen bases this season:
15— Giants
21— Astros
22— Tigers
25— Blue Jays
26— Dodgers
27— Rangers

Quote of the Day
“Rick Adelman’s NBA coaching career has been highlighted by innovation, integrity and excellence. His teams always played to their strengths, and Rick always found subtle ways to reinvent NBA basketball to help his players thrive. His quiet, unassuming nature belies his impact as one of the great NBA coaches of all time.”
Rick Carlisle, talking about the late Rick Adelman, who passed away this week

Tuesday’s quiz
Nolan Ryan pitched in one World Series; who was he pitching for that season?

Monday’s quiz
In his Hall of Fame career, Nolan Ryan threw seven no-hitters; he threw a no-hitter for three different teams.

Sunday’s quiz
Jeff Van Gundy was the Knicks’ coach, last time they played in the NBA Finals.

*******************************************

Tuesday’s Den: Trends for every major league team…….​

NL East
Trends are thru June 1st
— Braves (40-20)
Braves are 14-7 in their last 21 games.
Atlanta is 22-13 vs righty starters, 18-7 vs lefties.
Over is 10-1-1 in Braves’ last 12 road games.

— Marlins (27-34)
Marlins lost five of their last six games.
Marlins are 18-15 at home, 9-19 on road.
Over is 10-1-1 in Marlins’ last 12 road games.

— Mets (26-34)
Mets won four of their last five games.
New York is 5-11 vs lefty starting pitchers.
Mets are 24-4 when they score 4+ runs.

— Phillies (30-29)
Phillies are 21-10 in their last 31 games.
Under is 16-3 in their last sixteen games.
Phiilies are 23-15 vs righty starters, 7-14 vs lefties.

— Nationals (31-30)
Nationals are 12-18 at home, 19-12 on the road.
Over is 18-8 in their last 26 games.
Nationals are 18-24 vs righty starters, 13-6 vs lefties.

NL Central
— Cubs (32-28)
Chicago lost 12 of its last 15 games.
Cubs are 9-5 in one-run games.
Under is 4-1 in Cubs’ last five home games.

— Reds (30-29)
Reds are 1-7 in last eight games, when winning run scored from 7th inning on.
Over is 19-6 in their last 25 home games.
Reds are 21-25 vs righty starters, 9-4 vs lefties.

— Brewers (36-21)
Milwaukee is 26-8 in its last 34 games.
Milwaukee is 27-2 when they score 5+ runs.
Under is 9-2-1 in their last 12 home games.

— Pirates (32-28)
Pirates are 6-2 in their lasteight games.
Pittsburgh is 27-18 vs righty starters, 5-10 vs lefties.
Over is 14-5 in their last nineteen home games.

— Cardinals (31-27)
St Louis lost six of its last eight games.
St Louis is 15-15 at home, 16-12 on the road.
Cardinals are 11-6 in one-run games.

NL West
— Diamondbacks (32-27)
Arizona won 15 of its last 22 games.
Diamondbacks are 23-24 vs righty starters, 9-3 vs lefties.
Under is 9-2-1 n their last 12 home games.

— Rockies (23-38)
Rockies won three of their last four games.
Colorado is 19-27 vs righty starters, 4-11 vs lefties.
Over is 11-5-1 in their last seventeen road games.

— Dodgers (38-22)
Dodgers are 14-4 in their last eighteen games.
Under is 13-6 in their last nineteen games.
Dodgers are 34-2 when they score 4+ runs.

— Padres (29-20)
San Diego lost six of its last seven games.
Under is 13-2 in their last fifteen home games.
Padres are 22-5 when they score 4+ runs.

— Giants (23-37)
Giants are 11-24 in their last 35 games.
SF is 18-28 vs righty starters, 5-9 vs lefties.
Over is 7-1 in their last eight home games.

— Famous birthdays, June 2nd:
Jerry Mathers, 78
Lawrence McCutcheon, 76
Joanna Gleason, 76
Dennis Haysbert, 72
Andy McCollum, 56
Earl Boykins, 50
Nikki Cox, 48
Tim Stauffer, 44
Austin Davis, 37
Liam Hicks, 27

AL East
— Orioles (28-32)
Baltimore is 7-3 in its last ten games.
Orioles are 22-19 vs righty starters, 6-13 vs lefties.
Orioles are 5-9 in one-run games.

— Red Sox (23-32)
Boston is 9-19 at Fenway, worst home record in MLB.
Over is 6-2-1 in their last nine games.
Red Sox are 4-8 against their AL East rivals.

— New York (36-23)
New York won 15 of its last 19 home games.
Over is 4-1 in their last five games.
New York is 22-18 vs righty starters, 14-5 vs lefties.

— Rays (36-21)
Tampa Bay lost six of its last eight games.
Rays are 24-17 vs righty starters, 12-4 vs lefties.
Tampa Bay is 14-6 against their AL East rivals.

— Blue Jays (29-31)
Toronto is 8-4 in its last dozen games.
Blue Jays are 17-13 at home, 12-18 on the road.
Toronto is 21-10 if they score 4+ runs.

AL Central
— White Sox (32-28)
White Sox are 26-15 in their last 41 games.
Over is 5-0 in their last five road games.
Chicago is 25-9 when they score 4+ runs.

— Guardians (34-27)
Cleveland is 13-5 in its last 18 games.
Guardians are 19-22 vs righty starters, 15-5 vs lefties.
Guardians are 13-6 in series openers.

— Tigers (23-38)
Tigers are 3-13 in their last sixteen games.
Detroit is 14-14 at home, 9-24 on the road.
Tigers are 4-13 against their AL Central rivals.

— Royals (23-37)
Kansas City lost 16 of its last 20 games.
Royals are 15-17 at home, 8-20 on the road.
Over is 5-1 in their last six games.

— Twins (28-33)
Minnesota lost six of its last eight games.
Twins are 9-6 against their AL Central rivals.
Over is 18-5-1 in their last 24 road games.

AL West
— Astros (27-34)
Houston won seven of its last ten games.
Over is 5-1-1 in their last seven games.
Astros are 9-13 against their AL West rivals.

— Angels (23-38)
Halos are 7-14 in games where winning run scored from 7th inning on.
Under is 9-5 in Angels’ last fourteen road games.
Angels are 16-26 vs righty starters, 7-12 vs lefties.

— A’s (28-31)
A’s lost seven of their last nine games.
A’s are 11-17 at home, 17-14 on road.
Under is 8-2 in their last ten road games.

— Mariners (32-29)
Mariners won nine of their last eleven games.
Seattle is 30-12 when they score 3+ runs, 2-17 when they don’t.
Mariners are 14-9 vs their AL West rivals.

— Rangers (29-31)
Texas won its last four games, scoring 24 runs.
Over is 7-0-1 in their last eight home games.
Rangers are 3-6 in home series openers.

— If the baseball playoffs started today (they don’t):
NL: Braves, Brewers, Dodgers. Wild Cards: Padres-Cardinals-Arizona
AL: Rays, Guardians, Mariners. Wild Cards: New York-White Sox-Tor/Tex