Everyone seems to be in favour of at least one of the CFL’s newly announced rule changes.
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CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston announces changes to league Monday Sept 22 2025 (Screenshot cfl.ca)
While near unanimous support exists for putting teams on opposite sidelines, the 80 per cent vote share is where the agreeance ends according to our recent poll posted on Tuesday.
35 per cent were in favour of the goal posts being moved, 33 per cent in favour of the end zones shrinking. 65 per cent are happy to see the 65-yard field width staying the same, but only 10 per cent of votes were in favour of shortening the field overall.
The redefined rouge was popular with a 66 per cent hit rate, while the new style of play clock wasn’t as popular but still near the halfway mark at 46 per cent in favour.
One respondent was on the same page with BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who called the new rules “garbage”
“I agree with Nathan Rourke. This is garbage, done without consultation with players, coaches or the fans. Scrap the field and goalpost changes. The rouge changes are okay, but the rest is a pathetic attempt to ape the NFl. The CFL is NOT to NFL and in this era of Canadian patriotism, the league ought to give its head a shake. What are they thinking? Major foul, gross misconduct!”
Another response seemed keen to give the new rules a shot.
“Great changes, very good logic, It’s about time. Typical the players association is upset over any change, regardless of whether they agree with it or not!”
Find the rest of the responses below:Â
– They can change all they want but it will never be as exciting as the NFL!!
– No, except teams on opposite sidelines. Rouge should change to only returnable kicks score a point. 35 second clock needs modification in the final 3 minutes. No to the field changes. Also get rid of 2 divisions!!
– Leave CFL alone. We don’t need to be Americanized. I’ve been watching CFL all my years and I do not like NFL. It’s boring.
– I like the longer field- more challenging for players and Canadian.
– NFL is not what I want to see
– Absolutely a disgrace to the tradition of the CFL
– Hate it, the CFL’s unique rules are part of what differentiates the CFL and the NFL.
– In my opinion, the executives are slowly trying to make the CFL a training camp for the NFL. It’s called the CFL for a reason. Should have consulted players before making such decisions.
– True leadership builds consensus around change. It doesn’t spring surprises.
– These changes will be the death of the CFL. If I wanted to watch the NFL I would.
Week 17 of the CFL regular season starts on Friday with two games and continues Saturday with another doubleheader and will be the first official league action since the rule changes were announced.
The recent news is going to dominate discussions around the league until the end of the season. Fans may continue to voice their opposition, and it will be interesting to see how many opinions make themselves known come game day.
The Roughriders are in Edmonton this week, and Ottawa next week, the next game at Mosaic Stadium not until October 10 against Toronto.