\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
![\"NATHAN](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/3640529_web1_CP173143353.jpg\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n
NATHAN DENETTE \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell is having another outstanding season for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
In the West, Rourke has distanced himself from the rest of the pack, second behind only Mitchell in TDs and yards, but with one clear distinction.<\/p>\n
The Canadian QB is eighth in the CFL with 477 rushing yards, along with an eye-popping nine TDs on the ground. It should be a fascinating finish to the season for these two talented gunslingers.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
2) Between the Argos and Redblacks, the Argos have less heavy lifting to do in the off-season.<\/p>\n
Not that the season wasn\u2019t a disappointment \u2014 Toronto ultimately ended their bid for three Grey Cups in four years, and their chance at being considered a dynasty \u2014 but they\u2019ve won twice in the last three years, so an off-year doesn\u2019t sting nearly as much compared to the Redblacks.<\/p>\n
Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie is still under contract for 2026, but if I\u2019m the Argos, I\u2019m inking him to a multi-year extension ASAP.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
3) It obviously didn\u2019t help that Toronto has been without its starting quarterback for the entire season.<\/p>\n
While it looked like Chad Kelly would return at some point, now it feels almost like a foregone conclusion that he\u2019ll miss the remaining three games.<\/p>\n
It certainly was an interesting year for Kelly, who didn\u2019t hit the six-game injured list until mid-season, a move that suggested he would be back within the first month or so.<\/p>\n
He would finally be added to the six-game, only for Kelly to tease his return in Week 15 through a now-deleted social media post.<\/p>\n
I suppose the silver lining was the stellar play of Nick Arbuckle, who was pretty much asked to do it all on offence with the absence of a run game.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s still a chance Kelly plays, but it seems kind of dumb to risk him injuring himself and doing this all over again.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
4) The Redblacks have a lot of thinking to do.<\/p>\n
Ownership will first have to decide what to do with general manager Shawn Burke and head coach Bob Dyce.<\/p>\n
Both possess a losing record, which would be enough to justify both being let go.<\/p>\n
What does Ottawa Sports & Entertainment Group (OSEG) want to do? That\u2019s the biggest question here.<\/p>\n
Are they really invested enough to go out and look for new leadership, which would require a significant hunt and likely a long-term commitment?<\/p>\n
Or do they give Burke and Dyce one last shot to get it done?<\/p>\n
I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if they take the latter approach, even though the overall consensus seems to be Burke back, Dyce done.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
5) The other hot topic in Ottawa surrounds quarterback Dru Brown.<\/p>\n
Brown is in the midst of another injury-riddled season, limited to nine games so far this year.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s suffered multiple injuries, including to his hip and knee. He\u2019s also been turnover-prone, which is uncharacteristic of a game that has been defined by his ball security.<\/p>\n
At 28, there\u2019s still a ton left in the tank for Brown and the Redblacks would be ill-advised to move on.<\/p>\n
The other question that must be asked is, if not Brown, then who?<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Dru Brown <\/p>\n<\/p>\n I don\u2019t think Dustin Crum can win a Grey Cup and while we\u2019ve seen some improved play by backup veterans in recent weeks, there\u2019s no obvious better option than Brown out there.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 6) Not a ton of good news coming out of Edmonton these days, although I guess the Elks are still mathematically in the playoff race.<\/p>\n There was definitely reason to celebrate on Wednesday with the signing of a two-year extension for running back Justin Rankin.<\/p>\n Rankin has been a major bright spot for Edmonton, rushing for 838 yards and catching 49 passes for 633 yards, combining for 12 touchdowns.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 7) The Saskatchewan Roughriders search for a kicker continues.<\/p>\n After bringing in Canadian Campbell Fair, who took over for an injured Brett Lauther this past week, the Riders have signed American kicker Michael Hughes.<\/p>\n With Lauther out with a back injury, Fair also struggled, missing both of his convert attempts and not attempting a single field goal.<\/p>\n Lauther is having the worst season of his career, converting on 69 per cent of his kicks. Perhaps Hughes is the key; the American connected on 83 per cent of his field goals as a standout at Appalachian State.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n 8) Finally, as we enter these final games, I\u2019m not sure I can remember in my 10 years covering the CFL a tighter finish.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s to hoping for some close games and highlight reel plays over the weekend, before we break it all down again next week.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Jeff Hamilton Jeff Hamilton is a sports and investigative reporter. Jeff joined the Free Press newsroom in April 2015, and has been covering the local sports scene since graduating from Carleton University\u2019s journalism program in 2012. Read more about Jeff<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Jeff produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJASON FRANSON \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Multimedia producer
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n