Samwise CFL Newsletter
Thursday, May 7, 2026
CFL Rookie Camps Open League-Wide as Teams Begin Road to 2026 Season
Canadian Football League clubs opened rookie camps on Wednesday, May 6, with fresh draft picks and newly signed players hitting the field for the first time at the professional level. The league-wide openings mark the first on-field CFL activity since last fall, with full training camps set to follow on May 10. Teams must trim their rosters to 85 players, excluding non-counters, by Saturday, May 9. Across the league, clubs shared behind-the-scenes content from the first sessions, as more than 60 players per team participated in early practice. The Saskatchewan Roughriders held their rookie camp at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.
Sources: CFL.ca
Ottawa Redblacks Add Five American Players, Cut Two Ahead of Rookie Camp
The Ottawa Redblacks bolstered their roster on Wednesday, adding five American players while releasing two others as the club prepares for rookie camp and the May 10 training camp opening. Ottawa signed receiver Julian Gray, receivers John Dunmore and TJ Speight, and defensive backs Shadwel Nkuba II and Jordan Perryman. The Redblacks have been aggressive in reshaping their roster this offseason under head coach Ryan Dinwiddie and general manager Shawn Burke, allowing 24 of 36 pending free agents to leave and replacing them with more than a dozen proven players through free agency. Full training camp opens Sunday at TD Place.
Sources: 3DownNation
Redblacks Offence Enters 2026 Camp With Open QB Competition, Revamped Line
The Ottawa Redblacks enter training camp Sunday with an intriguing quarterback battle at the top of their depth chart. Dru Brown, the CFL’s lowest-paid starter, will compete with Mason Maier, the league’s highest-paid backup, for the starting position. The offensive line is anchored by newly signed centre Sean McEwen, a three-time All-CFL selection who missed all of 2025 with a torn ACL suffered at Saskatchewan’s training camp. Running back Kevin Bell, coming off a career year at his previous club, adds to an offence the Redblacks overhauled through free agency. Ottawa allowed 24 of 36 pending free agents to depart and replaced them aggressively.
Sources: 3DownNation
Vernon Adams Jr. Comfort, Begelton’s Return Among Calgary’s Key 2026 Story Lines
Entering year two with the Calgary Stampeders, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. benefits from coaching continuity after finishing fifth in passing yards in 2025 with 4,247 yards in 17 games. Receiver Reggie Begelton returns from a knee injury suffered in Week 2 last season and has resumed running routes, while defensive end Folarin Orimolade rehabilitates an Achilles injury ahead of camp. McAllister, a standout rookie with Hamilton in 2023, rejoins the CFL as a return specialist after two seasons away, giving Calgary an upgrade in their kick-return game. The Stampeders went 11-7 in 2025 and open this season June 6 at home to Saskatchewan.
Sources: CFL.ca
Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma Aims to Crack Winnipeg Blue Bombers Roster in 2026
Canadian quarterback Taylor Elgersma, 24, arrives at Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie camp as a training camp veteran in everything but official roster status. The Saskatchewan product attended camp with the Toronto Argonauts in 2022 and 2023 and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024 through the CFL’s quarterback internship program. After going undrafted in the NFL, Elgersma earned a training camp look with the Green Bay Packers in 2025, then signed with the Birmingham Stallions before being released. Now in Winnipeg, Elgersma competes for a backup spot behind starter Zach Collaros, who has said 2026 could be his final professional season.
Sources: 3DownNation
Samuel Emilus Tops CFL’s Receiver Pay Scale Following Grey Cup MVP Performance
Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Samuel Emilus, the reigning Grey Cup Most Valuable Canadian, leads the CFL’s receiver pay scale for 2026 with a $110,000 signing bonus and a base salary of $139,700, according to player contract data. Receiver Hatcher is close behind with a $125,000 signing bonus and $122,800 in base salary, while Montreal Alouettes receiver Austin Mack earns $121,000 in base salary and $50,000 in bonus money. Emilus secured his market-rate deal following a breakout postseason that earned him Grey Cup MVP honours. The data, obtained through the CFL Players’ Association, reflects continued salary growth at the receiver position.
Sources: 3DownNation
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division — Pre-Season
Montreal Alouettes
Toronto Argonauts
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Ottawa Redblacks
Regular season opens June 4, 2026
Western Conference
Western Division — Pre-Season
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Calgary Stampeders
Edmonton Elks
BC Lions
Rookie camps open May 6 • Training camp opens May 10
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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