And here we are. It\u2019s the final Monday Morning Quarterback of 2025 with a brand-new year around the corner.<\/p>\n
Right around this time is when many of us start planning our New Year\u2019s resolutions, and we always like to get into that spirit on the MMQB. And this year we\u2019ve got a fun little twist to it.<\/p>\n
BC\u2019s Nathan Rourke<\/a> and Winnipeg\u2019s Brady Oliveira<\/a> have made history the last two years. For the first time ever, Canadians have been named Most Outstanding Player in consecutive years. So outside of those two, who are some candidates to make that happen for a third straight season in 2026?<\/p>\n Here are five players whose New Year\u2019s resolutions could very well be to do just that.<\/p>\n RELATED MATHIEU BETTS | DEFENSIVE LINEMAN | BC LIONS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Named Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2023 and 2025, it feels like Mathieu Betts<\/a> would be the most likely choice here. And while a pure defensive player has only won MOP once in league history, it was a member of the Lions who did it thanks to Solomon Elimimian<\/a> in 2014. Betts has the chops to put himself in the mix.<\/p>\n Recently it feels like if Betts plays a full campaign, he leads the league in sacks. That\u2019s what happened in 2023 when he set a new Canadian record with 18. It happened again this past season, too, as Betts paced the CFL with 15 sacks to go along with 42 defensive tackles and a career high four forced fumbles.<\/p>\n TYRELL FORD | DEFENSIVE BACK | EDMONTON ELKS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Since returning to the CFL after a short stretch south of the border, Tyrell Ford<\/a> has solidified himself as one of the league\u2019s elite lockdown cornerbacks. It started in his first year back, as Ford recorded seven interceptions and 51 defensive tackles as a member of the Blue Bombers. It was the type of year that saw Ford given All-CFL honours and finish as the league\u2019s top ranked corner by Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n And even though the numbers didn\u2019t pop the same way last year, Ford remained a top tier defensive back. Joining Edmonton in free agency, Ford recorded two interceptions, one defensive touchdown, and a career high 56 tackles as one of the team\u2019s defensive anchors. And despite a more difficult defensive environment, Ford still ranked sixth among corners by PFF.<\/p>\n JUSTIN MCINNIS | RECEIVER | BC LIONS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Justin McInnis<\/a> isn\u2019t just one of the CFL\u2019s most explosive Canadian receivers. The last two years have proven he\u2019s one of the league\u2019s very best at the position, period. And with reigning MOP Rourke throwing him the ball, you don\u2019t really have to squint to see a world where McInnis enters the same conversation in 2026.<\/p>\n After leading the CFL with 1,469 receiving yards in a breakout 2024, McInnis followed up with 1,256 last year, which was good for third overall. McInnis blends speed, burst, and size to create one of the league\u2019s hardest receivers to cover. And his 14 touchdown catches over the last two seasons underline how much of a scoring threat we\u2019re talking about, too.<\/p>\n TEVAUGHN CAMPBELL | DEFENSIVE BACK | SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00bb\u00a0View the entire 2026 schedule<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0MMQB: 4 players who keep finding new heights<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a05 faces in new places that impacted 2025<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a03 records that were broken in 2025<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates<\/a><\/p>\n