We are already halfway through the Stampeders 2025 campaign.
Here are nine thoughts after nine games.
1. New Year, New Us
After a disappointing 2024 season that saw the team finish with a 5-12-1 record and miss the playoffs for the first time in two decades, Calgary was determined to get the club back on track to the winning ways to which CFL fans have been accustomed to for so long.
The off-season saw the departure of long-term coaches as well as veteran players and the addition of a new quarterback room, bigger receivers and a refreshed defence.
Halfway through the year and sitting with a record of 6-3, the Red and White have vastly improved, already winning more games this season than they did in all of 2024.
2. Big-Play V.A.
The nickname doesn’t just rhyme. It’s earned.
Vernon Adams Jr. and the Stampeders offence have produced 20 pass completions of at least 30 or more yards. That’s already one more than the team accumulated throughout the entirety of the 2024 season when they ranked last.
His longest connection came in Week 6 when he found Damien Alford for an 81-yard touchdown. And just last weekend, Adams connected with Tevin Jones for 78 yards which also marked Jones first TD as a Stamp.
On the board in style! pic.twitter.com/zy7PzfVaie
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) August 9, 2025
3. No Entry
On the other side of the ball, opposing offences are having a tough time finding the endzone against this revamped Calgary D.
Bob Slowik’s defence leads the league in fewest touchdowns allowed with 13, which is well ahead of the runner-up in that category.
Stopped ’em. pic.twitter.com/q27BzdSCFn
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) August 9, 2025
4. Perfect Fit
As mentioned, the Stampeders 2025 overhaul included splashy trades, key free-agent acquisitions, strategic draft selections and rookies earning starting positions. Every piece to the puzzle has fit neatlyso far for the Stamps.
In addition to the Adams trade, Calgary brought back dynamic edge rusher Folarin Orimolade, who has seamlessly found his stride along the Stamps defensive line.
Off-season signing Dominique Rhymes leads the team in receiving yards with 543 and targets with 57.
Free-agent signing Adrian Greene leads the league in interceptions with four while Greene, Damon Webb and Derrick Moncrief have all recorded pick-sixes this season.
GREENE’S GOT IT! 🚨
🗓️: @calstampeders vs. Blue Bombers LIVE NOW
🇨🇦: TSN, RDS2
🇺🇸: CBSSN
🌎: CFL+#CFL pic.twitter.com/E974ujVFgq
— CFL (@CFL) July 19, 2025
5. Making An Impact
Last August, the Stamps added linebacker Jacob Roberts to the practice roster. In October, they brought in defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings.
Fast-forward to today and both have been absolute standouts on defence.
Hutchings has six sacks, only one behind the league leader and the most by a defensive tackle. Roberts sits second for most tackles across the CFL with 59. He tallied 11 in last week’s win.
Another rookie who has been impressive this year is defensive back Jaydon Grant. The Oregan product has played all nine games this season and has started at field half every week. The 27-year-old has two interceptions, two knockdowns and 15 tackles.
TAKEN DOWN!
Jaylon Hutchings has his fifth sack of the year!#CFLGameDay
📅: Blue Bombers vs. @calstampeders LIVE NOW
🇨🇦: TSN
🇺🇸: CBSSN
🌎: CFL+ pic.twitter.com/bYAK7e55Jp
— CFL (@CFL) August 10, 2025
6. Delightful Draft Picks
Calgary entered the 2025 CFL Draft with 10 picks, the most selections amongst all nine teams. And they made good on their decisions.
Before suffering a hamstring injury early in Week 8, first overall pick Damien Alford put the league on notice.
The six-foot-six receiver – known as “Moose” – showed Canada why he was taken with the first pick in the draft, hauling in 156 yards for two touchdowns in a Week 6 matchup in Regina. One week later, he went right back to work, adding another two touchdown receptions to his rookie resume.
Despite missing the past few weeks, he is still tied for second in receiving touchdowns with five.
Through only six games played, the Montreal native has arguably been the most productive first overall pick from the CFL draft since TSN panelist (and World’s Fastest Cow race champion) Henoc Muamba was selected by the Blue Bombers in 2011.
VA TO MOOSE!! THE ANSWER! pic.twitter.com/ucfQXlCmIV
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) July 12, 2025
The Stampeders other first-round selection, Chris Fortin, has also been making the transition to the pros look like an easy one.
The rookie offensive lineman has taken over the starting duties at centre since veteran Bryce Bell was sidelined with an injury in Week 2 against the Argos.
The ninth overall pick has been solid and most recently earned Pro Football Focus honours as the top performing offensive lineman for his play in Week 10.
DAWGS 🐶🐶@PFF | #TogetherWeRide pic.twitter.com/xgkqpFSmJ7
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) August 12, 2025
7. Career Clutch
I’m pretty positive that on almost any list I’ve written, I’ve included Rene Paredes. So, it would be remiss if I didn’t mention him here.
The 14-year vet sent the Bombers home last Saturday booting a 40-yard field goal through the uprights with zeroes on the clock to secure the season sweep, something the Stampeders haven’t accomplished against Winnipeg since 2016.
The walk-off winner was the 12th of El Matador’s career and his fourth against the Blue and Gold.
The 🐐 called game. pic.twitter.com/KkXN5lwQcr
— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) August 10, 2025
8. Look To The Western Sky
Okay, so the Stampeders may not be defying gravity like Elphaba Thropp, but they are defying the doubters who ranked them last coming into the 2025 season.
Four of their six wins come from inter-divisional matchups, therefore meaning the Red and White are undefeated against Western opponents so far this year.
Their perfect 4-0 record against divisional rivals includes a three-game sweep against the Bombers and road win over the Riders, which remains Saskatchewan’s sole loss of 2025 heading into Week 10.
The Battle of the Prairies continues next weekend when the Green and White pay a visit to McMahon Stadium.
Then, Calgary hosts their provincial rival Edmonton Elks for the annual Labour Day Classic which also marks the first of three meetings between the Alberta clubs.
And then on Sept. 19, Vernon Adams Jr. and Nathan Rourke will face off when the Lions come to town. VA will return to Vancouver for the first time as a Stampeder on Oct. 4.
9. Reset and Refresh
After a gruelling July during which the team played five games, including three on the road, the month of August gives the Stamps some time to get healthy and reset for the back half of the season.
Calgary only plays twice this month, the first last weekend’s win over the Bombers, and the second on Aug. 23 when they return from the bye week to host the Riders.
The last time the Stampeders only played two games in August was over 70 years ago when the season started on Aug. 29. They played again two days later on the 31st.
Plus, the team will remain in Alberta until they head east to La Belle Province to take battle the Alouttes on Sept. 26.