Things didn\u2019t go exactly the way Mark Kilam was hoping they would in 2025.<\/p>\n
In his first year as head coach of the Edmonton Elks, Kilam\u2019s group stumbled to a 1-6 start that put them behind the eight ball the rest of the way. And despite following that with a 6-3 run in late summer and into the fall, the Elks missed the playoffs for a fifth straight season.<\/p>\n
But optimism is high in the Alberta capital entering Kilam\u2019s second year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like as a team, you know, we figured out who we wanted to be and what our identity was and how to play to that identity toward the back half of the season,\u201d Kilam told CFL.ca at CFL Winter Meetings in Calgary earlier this month.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started in a hole, so we were in the chase pack for the majority of the year, but we embraced that mentality. But it\u2019s on us to have a great off-season and training camp so we can start faster this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Here are three reasons Kilam and the Elks are poised to take a step forward in 2026.<\/p>\n
RELATED ONE YEAR IN THE BOOKS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After almost two decades climbing the ranks with the Calgary Stampeders, Kilam landed his well-earned first head coaching job in December 2024. And admittedly, there was a steep learning curve as he got settled in a new city with new surroundings, staff, and duties.<\/p>\n But that\u2019s all in the rear view as Kilam enters year two.<\/p>\n \u201cNow I can focus on the other things,\u201d Kilam admitted. \u201cI can focus on how I want to make training camp better. I can focus on how I can shape the staff through our Zoom meetings in the off-season.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, what\u2019s our messages going to be? How are we going to take that next step? How are we going to start faster? Those are the things I can focus on now versus just trying to put it all together in year one.\u201d<\/p>\n As we\u2019ve seen for many coaches in the past, that first year at the helm can largely consist of establishing things like culture, identity, and non-negotiables. It can also take time for new systems to be driven home, of which Edmonton introduced three in 2025. With much of that foundation in place now, the Elks are in a good spot to continue building.<\/p>\n CERTAINTY AT QUARTERBACK<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Last season began with Tre Ford<\/a> at quarterback with the Elks committed to giving the 2022 first-round pick an opportunity as a starter. But after a 1-4 start, Edmonton gave the ball to Cody Fajardo<\/a> in late July and never looked back.<\/p>\n In the process, Fajardo started 13 games and threw for 3,408 yards and 14 touchdowns, while his 73.2 per cent accuracy rate was second only to Saskatchewan\u2019s Trevor Harris.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s no secret our offence\u00a0looked a lot different when he took control,\u201d Kilam said. \u201cAnd it wasn\u2019t just that. It was in practice, it was in the meeting room, and it was just the overall effect of his leadership and his veteran presence that really elevated the guys on offence. We couldn\u2019t be more thrilled he\u2019s back.\u201d<\/p>\n
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