Samwise CFL Newsletter
Saturday, May 16, 2026
Edmonton Elks Revamp Offensive Line in Bid to End Six-Year Playoff Drought
The Edmonton Elks have assembled one of the CFL’s deepest offensive line units for 2026, with general manager Ed Hervey raiding his former Hamilton Tiger-Cats in free agency. Edmonton signed former Ticats Coulter Woodmansey, Brendan Bordner, and Jordan Murray to fix a pass protection unit that allowed 52 sacks last season. Quarterback Cody Fajardo absorbed more sacks than any other pivot in 2025. Bordner finished top 10 in pressure rate allowed, while Woodmansey permitted just 68 pressures across 2,000-plus pass blocking snaps over three seasons. Combined with returning starters Mark Korte, David Beard, and Carter O’Donnell, the Elks have seven starting-calibre linemen.
Sources: TSN
BC Lions Face Offensive Identity Questions After Losing Key Contributors
The BC Lions enter 2026 with significant offensive turnover despite retaining league-highest-paid player Nathan Rourke at quarterback and a strong receiving corps featuring Keon Hatcher Sr., Stanley Berryhill III, and Justin McInnis. The Lions must integrate new additions including receivers Demetric Felton and Bryan Thompson while the offensive line underwent changes requiring time to gel. Running back James Butler returns to anchor the ground game. Head coach Rick Campbell faces the challenge of maintaining the explosive offensive identity that defined the Lions last season while breaking in new personnel across multiple position groups ahead of the June 4 regular season opener.
Sources: TSN
Toronto Argonauts Open New Chapter with Head Coach Mike Miller and Returning QB Chad Kelly
The Toronto Argonauts are among the CFL’s most intriguing teams for 2026 after falling from Grey Cup champions to a five-win season in 2025. New head coach Mike Miller replaces Ryan Dinwiddie, who departed for Ottawa. All eyes fall on quarterback Chad Kelly, who has not played in 18 months after breaking his right leg in the 2024 Eastern Final. Miller believes Kelly can regain his 2023 Most Outstanding Player form. The front office added veteran architects John Hufnagel and Jim Barker, who have combined for multiple Grey Cup victories in coaching and football operations.
Sources: CFL.ca
Saskatchewan Roughriders Release 391-Pound Offensive Lineman Percy Lewis IV
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released American offensive lineman Percy Lewis IV as training camp cuts continue across the CFL. Lewis, a six-foot-seven, 391-pound blocker who signed April 29, was unable to secure a roster spot during the opening days of main camp. The move is part of league-wide reductions that saw all nine teams cut to 75 players by May 12, with final active roster cuts due May 30. Saskatchewan opens the 2026 preseason Monday against Calgary in the first CFL game of the year. The Roughriders are building around a veteran core including Tevaughn Campbell and Jermarcus Hardrick.
Sources: 3DownNation
Tiger-Cats OC Milanovich Sets Pass Protection as Top Priority in Running Back Competition
Hamilton Tiger-Cats offensive coordinator Scott Milanovich has declared pass protection the deciding factor in the team’s running back competition at training camp. Milanovich told reporters he has no preferred rushing style but demands one non-negotiable skill: the ability to protect the quarterback. Hamilton opened camp at McMaster University with multiple backs competing for the starting role. Milanovich indicated that blocking assignments and blitz pickup reads will outweigh rushing statistics in determining the depth chart. The Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes on June 4 in the first game of the 2026 regular season.
Sources: 3DownNation
BC Lions Add Quarterback Depth by Signing Former Argos Pivot Jarret Doege
The BC Lions have signed American quarterback Jarret Doege and defensive lineman T.J. Burke to training camp contracts. Doege brings CFL experience from previous stints with the Toronto Argonauts and Edmonton Elks, providing veteran backup depth behind franchise quarterback Nathan Rourke. The signing adds insurance as camp enters its second week and the Lions prepare to finalize their depth chart ahead of May 30 roster cuts. Burke joins an already competitive defensive line room. The Lions are expected to contend for first place in the West Division with the CFL’s highest-paid player in Rourke leading the offence.
Sources: 3DownNation
Montreal Alouettes Shift French-Language Radio Broadcasts to Quebecor-Affiliated Station
The Montreal Alouettes have partnered with a Quebecor-affiliated station owned by Leclerc Communications for French-language radio broadcasts in 2026. The station will carry every Alouettes game across its airwaves and mobile app, marking a shift in the team’s media distribution strategy. The move reflects Montreal’s efforts to expand French-language media reach in Quebec as the defending East Division champions prepare for a title defence under head coach Jason Maas. Quarterback Davis Alexander is confirmed fully healthy for training camp. Montreal opens the regular season June 4 at Hamilton, with the full campaign culminating in the 113th Grey Cup at Calgary on November 15.
Sources: 3DownNation
East Division
2026 Preseason — Starts May 18
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)
West Division
Regular Season Starts June 4
1. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 0 pts (0-0-0)
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
3. BC Lions — 0 pts (0-0-0)
4. Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
5. Edmonton Elks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency