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\nSASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n
Biggest off-season storyline: Running it back<\/p>\n
There wasn\u2019t really any other choice to be made after the Riders went wire-to-wire as the CFL\u2019s best team in 2025. Now the defending Grey Cup champions for the first time in more than a decade, Saskatchewan rightfully has their eyes on more hardware.<\/p>\n
Starting with quarterback and Grey Cup MVP Trevor Harris in early December<\/a>, the Roughriders went right to work in retaining a large portion of their core. Whether extended or already under contract, key pieces Tevaughn Campbell<\/a>, Jermarcus Hardrick<\/a>, Jameer Thurman<\/a>, Samuel Emilus<\/a>, Rolan Milligan Jr., and AJ Ouellette are all back for 2026. And with Corey Mace back for year three as head coach, why wouldn\u2019t Saskatchewan try to run it back?<\/p>\n New face to watch: Josh Woods, linebacker<\/p>\n Coming off a title win, the Riders weren\u2019t going to be able to retain everyone. One cap casualty was linebacker AJ Allen, who signed in Ottawa after leading the team in defensive tackles last season. Enter Josh Woods, however, who signed in early February after being released in BC<\/a>. A perfect fit to slide into Allen\u2019s vacated spot on the weak side, Woods recorded 62 defensive tackles and one sack in 14 appearances last year.<\/p>\n Flying under the radar: Caleb Sanders<\/a>, defensive tackle<\/p>\n Caleb Sanders is one of the players who has quietly emerged in two seasons under Mace, a former defensive lineman himself. Last year saw Sanders record 13 defensive tackles and two sacks while establishing himself as a key part of Saskatchewan\u2019s defensive front. In the process, he finished the season ranked as the league\u2019s number two interior lineman by Pro Football Focus.<\/p>\n MONTREAL ALOUETTES<\/p>\n Biggest off-season storyline: Davis Alexander\u2019s arrival<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It raised eyebrows last winter when the Als announced their intention to make Davis Alexander their number one quarterback, despite how strong Cody Fajardo had been the prior two seasons. But Montreal knew what they had in Alexander, and it didn\u2019t take long for the rest of the league to figure it out too.<\/p>\n Despite being slowed by a hamstring injury at times, Alexander was unbeaten in seven regular season starts for the Alouettes while throwing for 2,024 yards and 10 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He then put together three great playoff starts, including a valiant effort in a Grey Cup loss. There\u2019s no uncertainty surrounding Alexander anymore.<\/p>\n New face to watch: Dustin Crum, quarterback<\/p>\n Looking for stability in the backup role, Montreal zeroed in on Dustin Crum in free agency. Despite being just 27, Crum has the right reps and experience for the job with 20 starts under his belt over the last three seasons in Ottawa. Crum also gives the Als intriguing short yardage options, as he tied for the league lead with 11 rushing touchdowns last season.<\/p>\n Flying under the radar: Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, linebacker<\/p>\n Geoffrey Cantin-Arku\u2019s emergence over the last two years hasn\u2019t just been impressive, but it also allowed the Alouettes to part ways with Darnell Sankey over the winter. A 2024 first-round CFL Canadian Draft pick, Cantin-Arku recorded 38 defensive tackles, four sacks, one interception, and three forced fumbles in a limited role last season.<\/p>\n BC LIONS<\/p>\n Biggest off-season storyline: It\u2019s Rourke\u2019s world<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After recording the CFL double last season as Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian, there\u2019s no doubting Nathan Rourke\u2019s place as one of the league\u2019s elite quarterbacks. But let\u2019s not forget where things were one year ago, after Rourke struggled in the second half of the 2024 campaign after rejoining the Lions from the NFL.<\/p>\n What Rourke did last year was huge to repay the Lions\u2019 trust in him. And just as significant was Rourke\u2019s decision to extend in BC this winter through 2028<\/a>. Doing so immediately takes away any potential distractions and, perhaps more importantly, sends a message to the rest of the locker room that one of the league\u2019s very best is committed for the long run.<\/p>\n New face to watch: Darnell Sankey, linebacker<\/p>\n It only took about a week for Darnell Sankey to land with the Lions after being released by Montreal in December<\/a>. A Grey Cup champion and two-time East Division All-CFL linebacker with the Alouettes, Sankey has led the CFL in defensive tackles on two occasions. Last season, Sankey racked up 101 tackles, two sacks, and one fumble recovery.<\/p>\n Flying under the radar: James Butler, running back<\/p>\n With Rourke at the helm and a deep, talented group of receivers, we hear a lot about BC\u2019s aerial attack. But don\u2019t sleep on their run game. James Butler was quietly excellent last year with a league co-leading 11 rushing touchdowns and a career high 1,213 yards. In the process, he finished the season as PFF\u2019s number one ranked tailback.<\/p>\n HAMILTON TIGER-CATS<\/p>\n Biggest off-season storyline: One last hurdle<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With the resurgent Bo Levi Mitchell<\/a> at the helm, the Tiger-Cats took a big step in 2025. Hamilton finished 11-7 and on top of the East Division, which earned them a date with Montreal in the Eastern Final. But, thanks to a field goal with time expiring, the Ticats fell just short of returning to the Grey Cup for the first time since 2021.<\/p>\n And the goal is clear entering this season. Despite retirement whispers, Mitchell is back after extending in December<\/a> as he tries to make it three straight years leading the league in passing yards. With a swack of other extensions, including Stavros Katsantonis<\/a>, Julian Howsare, and Shemar Bridges, there\u2019s no doubting how focused Hamilton is on ending the league\u2019s longest championship drought.<\/p>\n New face to watch: Wynton McManis, linebacker<\/p>\n It took exactly one day for the Tiger-Cats to pounce (excuse the pun) on the opportunity to sign two-time All-CFL linebacker Wynton McManis after he was released by Toronto<\/a>. McManis instantly gives Hamilton\u2019s defensive group a boost in the middle. Last year saw him record 62 defensive tackles, four sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.<\/p>\n Flying under the radar: Quinton Barrow, offensive line<\/p>\n In just two CFL seasons, Quinton Barrow has quietly turned into one of the league\u2019s best right tackles, which was cemented by his 2025 performance. En route to his first East Division All-CFL nod, Barrow suited up for 18 games at right tackle and anchored an offensive line that allowed just 27 sacks.<\/p>\n CALGARY STAMPEDERS<\/p>\n Biggest off-season storyline: Taking the next step<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After missing the playoffs for the first time in 19 years in 2024, the Stamps rebounded last year with an 11-7 record and an appearance in the Western Semi-Final. It was a solid campaign after two straight below .500 seasons, which were deemed wholly unacceptable in Calgary. But now it\u2019s time to take the next step.<\/p>\n The Stampeders have a solid core to work around, led by recently extended quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.<\/a> entering his second season with the Red and White. With other key pieces like Reggie Begelton<\/a>, Clarence Hicks<\/a>, and Dedrick Mills<\/a> under contract, Calgary has eyes on a higher regular season finish and a playoff win or two this fall.<\/p>\n New face to watch: Dejon Brissett, receiver<\/p>\n The Stamps were quiet in free agency, but one position they did target was receiver. With Dominque Rhymes announcing his retirement<\/a>, there was an immediate opening for a player like Dejon Brissett, and the fact he\u2019s Canadian is just a bonus. Oh, and he\u2019s also coming off a career season. Last year saw Brissett rack up 65 receptions, 907 yards and three touchdowns in 18 appearances with Toronto.<\/p>\n Flying under the radar: Derrick Moncrief, linebacker<\/p>\n Derrick Moncrief had a resurgence in his first year with Calgary, which made signing an extension a no-brainer<\/a>. Ranked as the league\u2019s number two strongside linebacker by PFF last year, Moncrief quietly totalled 67 defensive tackles, two interceptions, one forced fumble, and one defensive touchdown.<\/p>\n TORONTO ARGONAUTS<\/p>\n Biggest off-season storyline: An important reset<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Argos took a deep breath over the winter before getting back to work. After advancing to at least the Eastern Final in the prior four seasons, Toronto finished 5-13 last year and well outside the playoff picture. Mike Miller<\/a> has replaced Ryan Dinwiddie as head coach. Quarterback Chad Kelly is healthy again after missing all of last season. And the Argonauts have brought in some intriguing names to help make this a quick reboot.<\/p>\n \u201cWe say reset, not regret,\u201d Toronto general manager Michael Clemons said at CFL Winter Meetings in January<\/a>. \u201cSo, we\u2019re glad it happened. We had a very successful stint there, but now with the reset, we think we get a chance to recharge ourselves again.\u201d<\/p>\n New face to watch: Adarius Pickett, linebacker<\/p>\n Signed just a few days after being released in Ottawa<\/a>, Adarius Pickett instantly becomes an integral part of a Toronto defence that struggled at times last year. And let\u2019s not forget the most productive season of Pickett\u2019s career came in 2023, his only other as a member of the Argos. That year saw Pickett rack up 105 defensive tackles, six sacks, and one forced fumble en route to an All-CFL nod and being named the East Division\u2019s Most Outstanding Defensive Player.<\/p>\n Flying under the radar: Damonte Coxie, receiver<\/p>\n You wonder what Damonte Coxie\u2019s totals would have looked like in 2025 had he not gone down with injury in Week 11. Even still, Coxie finished with 854 receiving yards and a career high six touchdowns in just 10 appearances. On what feels like the verge of a breakout season, it would be a slight surprise if Coxie doesn\u2019t hit 1,000 yards for the first time in his CFL career.<\/p>\n WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS<\/p>\n Biggest off-season storyline: We\u2019re still here<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Winnipeg had their run of consecutive Grey Cup appearances snapped at five last season, which had many wondering if a change in direction was in the cards. But when head coach Mike O\u2019Shea and general manager Kyle Walters signed contract extensions in November<\/a>, it became clear the Bombers weren\u2019t ready for any rebuild conversations.<\/p>\n From Jake Ceresna to Tim White and more, Winnipeg added multiple big names in free agency<\/a>. That went along with key extensions to core members Brady Oliveira, Nic Demski, Stanley Bryant, Evan Holm, and Deatrick Nichols, among others. With future Hall of Famer Zach Collaros still under centre, the Blue Bombers feel like their championship window remains wide open.<\/p>\n New face to watch: Jarell Broxton, offensive line<\/p>\n Of all the big names added in Winnipeg, you can make a strong argument Jarell Broxton is the most significant. The anchor of the league\u2019s best offensive line last season, Broxton helped BC allow just 20 sacks. Offensive line was an area the Bombers wanted to address over the off-season, and you can\u2019t get much better than Broxton, who was ranked as PFF\u2019s top left tackle in 2025.<\/p>\n Flying under the radar: Willie Jefferson, defensive end<\/p>\n It\u2019s crazy to think one of the best edge rushers in league history could fly under the radar. But now 35 years old, Willie Jefferson doesn\u2019t get mentioned as prominently as he once did. That\u2019s perfectly fine with Winnipeg, because they know how much of a factor Jefferson remains. Jefferson racked up 15 tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble last year.<\/p>\n OTTAWA REDBLACKS<\/p>\n Biggest off-season storyline: The Dinwiddie era begins<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n After making the playoffs in 2024, the REDBLACKS took a step back with a 4-14 record last year. And with just one post-season appearance in the last six years, Ottawa opted to make a big change with the surprise hiring of Ryan Dinwiddie as head coach and general manager.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a good bet, too. Dinwiddie joins the REDBLACKS after compiling a 51-35 record over five seasons in Toronto to go along with two Grey Cup wins and four Eastern Final appearances. With returning to the playoffs the immediate goal, Dinwiddie has been busy in his GM role, too, adding players like CJ Reavis,\u00a0AJ Allen, and Ayden Eberhardt in free agency.<\/p>\n New face to watch: Greg Bell, running back<\/p>\n One thing holding Ottawa back in 2025 was the lack of an explosive rushing attack. The decision to add Greg Bell on a two-year contract<\/a> in free agency directly addresses that. Bell established himself as one of the league\u2019s most effective tailbacks last season, recording 1,038 rushing yards to go along with five touchdowns. Bell was also one of the league\u2019s most productive running backs in the passing game, finishing with 426 receiving yards and another touchdown.<\/p>\n Flying under the radar: Dru Brown, quarterback<\/p>\n You don\u2019t usually get starting quarterbacks flying under the radar. But you can understand why Dru Brown might be, as he was only able to start nine of Ottawa\u2019s 18 games last season. But with quarterback whisperer Dinwiddie in the fold, it won\u2019t surprise anyone if Brown returns to his 2024 form when he went 8-6-1 as a starter.<\/p>\n EDMONTON ELKS<\/p>\n Biggest off-season storyline: The drought ends now<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n There\u2019s only one goal for the Elks in 2026, and that\u2019s to return to the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. And after some solid groundwork laid last year under first-year head coach Mark Kilam, it feels like things are pointed in the right direction. Add in some significant additions in free agency and you can understand why the optimism is high in Edmonton.<\/p>\n \u201cWe figured out who we wanted to be and what our identity was and how to play to that identity toward the back half of last season,\u201d Kilam told CFL.ca earlier in the off-season<\/a>. \u201cWe started in a hole, so we were in the chase pack for the majority of the year, but we embraced that mentality. It\u2019s on us to have a great off-season and training camp so we can start faster.\u201d<\/p>\n New face to watch: Malik Carney<\/a>, defensive end<\/p>\n