Welcome to Overreaction Monday, where we look back on the previous week\u2019s action and root out some angles that could be prone to reactions that might be a tad over the top. Either from fans and the media in general or, maybe just specifically me.<\/p>\n
Then come the verdicts: \u201cOverreaction,\u201d \u201cfair\u201d or \u201ctoo soon to tell.\u201d<\/p>\n
This week, maple syrup-infused pass-catchers rule the roost, and defences suffer the slings and arrows of both hot quarterbacks and hot takes.<\/p>\n
RELATED CANADIAN RECEIVERS ARE THE BEST RECEIVERS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Led by Montreal\u2019s Tyson Philpot<\/a> (nine catches, 193 yards) and Saskatchewan\u2019s Kian Schaffer-Baker<\/a> (11 catches, 165 yards), Canadian receivers really went off in Week 2, with BC\u2019s Justin Mcinnis (eight for 129), Winnipeg\u2019s Tommy Nield<\/a> (seven for 111) and Toronto\u2019s Kevin Mital<\/a> (seven for 109) all climbing over the century mark.<\/p>\n Of the 12 touchdowns scored by receivers in Week 2, 10 of them were scored by Canadians, including a hat trick for Saskatchewan\u2019s Samuel Emilus, who almost got to the 100 mark himself, finishing his night with 91 yards.<\/p>\n \u201cOh Canada, it\u2019s all about homebrew receivers in 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n THE VERDICT: Overreaction. Yup, Canuck ball-catchers stole most of the limelight in Week 2, but guys like Saskatchewan\u2019s KeeSean Johnson (nine receptions, 131 yards) were among those without maple leaf tattoos that had a pretty good night, too. Montreal\u2019s Jerreth Sterns (nine for 114), Toronto rookie Tyler Kahmann<\/a> (six for 106 and a touchdown) and Hamilton\u2019s Keric Wheatfall<\/a> (three for 102) all topped 100 yards.<\/p>\n EVERYONE PASSES FOR 6,000 YARDS IN 2026<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The passing numbers in Week 2 were kinda obnoxious.<\/p>\n Led by Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly<\/a>\u2019s 445 against Montreal, we had four, 400-plus performances, with the Alouettes\u2019 Davis Alexander<\/a> coming in at 441, Winnipeg\u2019s Zach Collaros<\/a> at 421 and Saskatchewan\u2019s Trevor Harris<\/a> at 417. In a losing cause, BC\u2019s Nathan Rourke<\/a> had 330, leaving Hamilton\u2019s Bo Levi Mitchell<\/a> as the only starter to not crack the 300-yard mark \u2014 and he wasn\u2019t far off at 287.<\/p>\n In Week 1, only two quarterbacks crossed the 300-yard barrier (Alexander and Mitchell) but another two pivots (Edmonton\u2019s Cody Fajardo<\/a> and Ottawa\u2019s Jake Maier<\/a>) had to play in a downpour.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s gonna be a mad-bomber kind of season.\u201d<\/p>\n THE VERDICT: Too soon to tell. But some of these receivers, early on, are getting wiiiiide open, often. If your reaction is that CFL air defences are going to have to tighten up a whole lot, that\u2019d be a fair assessment.<\/p>\n That includes the likes of Toronto, Hamilton, and BC, it\u2019s true. But also the likes of the CFL\u2019s top two defences in 2025, in Montreal and Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n YOU SHOULDN\u2019T LEAVE OUT THE BOMBERS<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Saw some griping about Winnipeg\u2019s defence online after the loss to Hamilton and it is true that the Bombers gave up a bunch of chunk plays to Hamilton through the air, and 124 rushing yards to Ticats\u2019 running back Larry Rountree III. Heck, even Bo Levi Mitchell<\/a> ripped off a 15-yard run at one point.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s not a championship defence.\u201d<\/p>\n THE VERDICT: Overreaction. That\u2019s still Jordan Younger designing Winnipeg defences and that\u2019s still Willie Jefferson<\/a> causing havoc at the line (now with new partner in crime Jake Ceresna<\/a>). That\u2019s still defensive back Evan Holm and his impressive closing speed and that\u2019s still the ultra-smart Redha Kramdi<\/a> reading and reacting. That\u2019s still linebacker Tony Jones<\/a> dominating in the middle. All part of a defence that was second in the CFL in 2025 in the category of passing yards given up per game (261.4) and second in limiting an opponent\u2019s passing efficiency (90.8). Part of a defence that was the third-best in run defence in 2025, too.<\/p>\n THAT SIDELINE SPAT\u2019S A BAD SIGN<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In the wake of Toronto\u2019s 37-30 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, news emerged that during that game, Argos\u2019 quarterback Chad Kelly<\/a> got so steamed at head coach Mike Miller<\/a>, that others on the sideline felt the need to step in and provide some separation.<\/p>\n Afterward, Kelly stayed silent when asked about the incident, but Miller waved away any talk of a problem simmering, pointing out that he and Kelly have worked together since Miller joined the Argos as quarterbacks coach in 2022.<\/p>\n \u201cChad\u2019s a competitor, I\u2019m a competitor. There\u2019s a way that we interact, and I have no problem with Chad Kelly<\/a>,\u201d the coach said in his post-game media conference.<\/p>\n THE VERDICT: Too soon too tell. Emotions can run high on the sideline, it\u2019s true, and Miller pointing out that he and Kelly have a good working relationship should carry a lot of weight. But this was just game one, so it bears watching.<\/p>\n FORTY? TREVOR HARRIS\u2019LL PLAY \u2019TIL HE\u2019S FIFTY<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00bb Samuel Emilus\u2019 trio of touchdowns leads Riders to win in season-opener<\/a>
\u00bb Als rally past Argos for second-straight comeback win<\/a>
\u00bb Kiondr\u00e9 Smith\u2019s pair of TDs powers Ticats over Bombers<\/a>
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