Samwise CFL Newsletter
Monday, May 11, 2026
All Nine CFL Teams Open Full Training Camps as Season Opener and Grey Cup Loom
All nine Canadian Football League teams launched full training camps on Sunday, May 10, marking the start of formal preparations for the 2026 regular season, which opens June 4 in Hamilton when the Alouettes visit the Tiger-Cats. Rookie camps last week trimmed rosters to 85 players across the league, with a second cutdown to 75 due by May 12 and camp concluding May 30. Head coaches emphasized position competitions and depth chart battles as priorities. The season carries particular meaning in Calgary, where the Stampeders are targeting the 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium this November — a rare chance to win the championship at home.
Sources: TSN, Global News
Alouettes Quarterback Davis Alexander Reports Fully Healthy as Montreal Opens 2026 Camp
Montreal Alouettes starting quarterback Davis Alexander arrived at training camp on May 10 declaring himself fully recovered from the hamstring injury that hampered him throughout the entire 2025 season. The ailment, which head coach Jason Maas attributed to over-training in the previous offseason, affected Alexander from the first camp session through the 112th Grey Cup in November. Alexander confirmed a recent MRI returned clean results and that he has been working out without restrictions since mid-January 2026. The starting pivot took first-team reps at the Alouettes’ opening practice and said he is focused on leading Montreal back to championship contention in 2026.
Sources: 3DownNation, TSN
Vernon Adams Jr. Signs Two-Year Contract Extension to Stay in Calgary Through 2028
Calgary Stampeders quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. signed a two-year contract extension on the eve of training camp, keeping him with the club through the 2028 CFL season. Adams, who revived the Stampeders’ offence and helped guide the team to an 11-7 record in 2025, had been set to become a free agent after this season. The extension was announced May 7 and runs through Calgary’s bid to host and win the 113th Grey Cup at McMahon Stadium in November. Adams said the prospect of a home Grey Cup raises the stakes considerably, and stated the team wants to raise the winning standard it established last year.
Sources: 3DownNation
B.C. Lions Release National Veteran Christian Covington After Two CFL Seasons
The B.C. Lions released national defensive lineman Christian Covington on May 8, parting ways with the 32-year-old after two CFL seasons in Vancouver. In 29 regular-season games with the Lions, Covington recorded 29 defensive tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. The national-designated veteran spent several seasons in the NFL before coming to Canada, signing first with Calgary before joining B.C. two years ago. His release came as the Lions trimmed their roster ahead of full training camp, which opened May 10 in Kamloops. Montreal quickly added two players released by B.C. — linebacker Darnell Sankey and defensive back Dionte Ruffin — to its own camp roster.
Sources: 3DownNation
Defending Grey Cup Champion Saskatchewan Roughriders Release Eight Players Following Rookie Camp
Defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders released eight players following rookie camp, paring their roster ahead of full training camp that opened May 10 in Saskatoon. All eight were Americans: running back Peny Boone, receiver Collin Brunstein, defensive linemen Sundiata Anderson, Kevin Orange Jr., and Nathan Pickering, offensive lineman Dartanyan Tinsley, and a pair of defensive backs including D’Angelo Mandell. The Roughriders, led by Grey Cup MVP quarterback Trevor Harris, are deep on offence but face genuine competition at backup quarterback, defensive end, weak-side linebacker, and kicker heading into the preseason. Saskatchewan plays its first preseason game against Winnipeg on May 23.
Sources: 3DownNation
CFL Teams Complete First Round of Cuts as All Nine Clubs Trim to 85 Players
All nine Canadian Football League teams completed first-round roster cutdowns by May 9, trimming to 85 players each before training camps opened on May 10. The CFL tracked moves across all nine clubs, with Winnipeg releasing seven Americans and Saskatchewan releasing eight following rookie camps. A second cutdown to 75 players is required by May 12, with a final preseason trim coming before the June 4 regular season opener. Teams were also active adding undrafted free agents and global-pathway players to fill depth positions. Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, and Calgary all made notable additions alongside their cuts, reshaping competitive depth charts ahead of exhibition play.
Sources: CFL.ca
Stampeders Sign Nunu Whatley While Begelton and Orimolade Begin Camp on Injured List
The Calgary Stampeders signed American defensive back Nunu Whatley, a standout from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, on May 9 while cutting three other players, as the club also confirmed that receiver Reggie Begelton and defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade are beginning 2026 training camp on the injured veterans list. Begelton suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 of 2025 and was limited to an observer role at camp. Orimolade tore his Achilles tendon last September. Defensive back Bailey Devine-Scott was also placed on the six-game injured list. The Stampeders opened full camp at McMahon Stadium on May 10.
Sources: 3DownNation, TSN
Edmonton’s Woodmansey Tops CFL O-Line Pay Scale as First National to Earn $300K
Edmonton Elks offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey has become the highest-paid National offensive lineman in CFL salary cap history at $300,000 per season, according to salary data published by 3DownNation on May 7. Woodmansey is the first National player at the position to reach that threshold, with Hamilton’s Brandon Revenberg ($184,600), Toronto’s Ryan Hunter ($170,300), and Ottawa’s Drew Desjarlais ($170,300) among those behind him. Edmonton’s top seven offensive linemen are set to earn more than $1.4 million combined in 2026, potentially exceeding one-fifth of the club’s entire salary cap. General manager Ed Hervey said no cuts to the unit are planned ahead of opening day.
Sources: 3DownNation
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division
1. Montreal Alouettes — 0 pts (0-0-0)
2. Toronto Argonauts — 0 pts (0-0-0)
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 0 pts (0-0-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Regular season opens June 4, 2026
Western Conference
Western Division
1. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 0 pts (0-0-0)
3. B.C. Lions — 0 pts (0-0-0)
4. Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
5. Edmonton Elks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Saskatchewan defending Grey Cup champions
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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