Samwise CFL Newsletter
Monday, June 1, 2026
Saskatchewan Roughriders Unveil Dazzling 2025 Grey Cup Championship Rings
The Saskatchewan Roughriders presented players, coaches, and staff with their 2025 Grey Cup championship rings on Sunday evening in Regina. Crafted by Baron Championship Rings, the pieces were designed by a five-person committee including quarterback Trevor Harris and head coach Corey Mace. Each ring features 14 green baguette stones representing the team's victories and opens to reveal a replica of Mosaic Stadium and a piece of the Grey Cup game ball. Saskatchewan defeated Montreal 25-17 in last November's 112th Grey Cup at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg. Harris completed 23-of-27 passes for 302 yards to earn MVP honours; Samuel Emilus claimed Most Valuable Canadian with 10 catches for 108 yards.
Sources: 3DownNation
CFL Signs Record $500 Million Broadcast Deal with Bell Media and DAZN
The Canadian Football League has signed six-year media agreements with Bell Media and DAZN in what the league describes as the largest broadcast deal in its history. A report by Arash Madani pegs the deal at approximately $500 million total, or about $83 million per season, up from $50 million per season on TSN's previous contract. TSN retains 60 regular-season games, six playoff games, and the Grey Cup, while DAZN becomes the new home of Saturday Night Football and the CFL's global broadcaster outside Canada and the United States. YouTube will join as a platform partner in 2027. Commissioner Stewart Johnston called it a transformative moment for the league.
Sources: 3DownNation
Chase Brice, Nick Cenacle Lead B.C. Lions Past Blue Bombers 30-19 in Preseason Finale
The B.C. Lions defeated Winnipeg 30-19 in front of 26,269 fans at Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday night, closing out the 2026 CFL preseason. Backup quarterback Chase Brice was sensational, completing 9-of-11 passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Fifth-round CFL Draft pick Nick Cenacle stole the show with four catches for 111 yards and two scores. Nathan Rourke played three series in his first preseason action, going 6-of-8 for 99 yards. Rookie QB Kaidon Salter also impressed, completing 11-of-12 passes for 123 yards and a touchdown. The Lions, on bye in Week 1, open their regular season June 13 against the defending Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Sources: 3DownNation
Josh Love Shines as Calgary Stampeders Complete Undefeated Preseason over Elks
The Calgary Stampeders capped an undefeated preseason Friday night at Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, holding the Elks to 18 or fewer points for the second straight exhibition game. Josh Love led the offence, completing 7-of-8 passes for 80 yards including a 42-yard touchdown to Dante Wright. Third-string quarterback Jacolby Criswell impressed in a short stint, converting a touchdown drive. Ben Wooldridge, competing for the backup job left vacant by the retired P.J. Walker, went 5-of-9 for 58 yards but was sacked twice. Defensive linemen Tre'Mon Morris-Brash and Brandon Maina each recorded a sack. Calgary hosts Winnipeg in the regular-season opener on Friday, June 5, at 9 p.m. EDT.
Sources: 3DownNation
Calgary Stampeders Re-Sign All-CFL Defensive Lineman Jaylon Hutchings to Three-Year Contract
The Calgary Stampeders have signed American defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings to a three-year contract, reuniting the pass rusher with the club after a brief NFL stint. Hutchings was the top-graded defensive player in the CFL in 2025, per Pro Football Focus, posting 39 defensive tackles, eight sacks, and one forced fumble in 17 regular-season games, earning All-CFL honours. The six-foot, 304-pound lineman had signed a futures contract with the Minnesota Vikings in January before being waived in April with a non-football injury designation. Hutchings re-joins a Stampeders roster that is building toward hosting the 113th Grey Cup in Calgary this November, with the regular season opening June 5.
Sources: 3DownNation
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Cut Starting Offensive Lineman Kendall Randolph Among 25 Releases
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers released 25 players ahead of the CFL's mandatory cutdown deadline Saturday, with starting offensive lineman Kendall Randolph among the most notable departures. The Alabama product started all 18 regular-season games in 2025 for Winnipeg, primarily at right tackle, and was expected to compete for left guard after the club acquired Jarell Broxton this offseason. Also released was veteran defensive back Deandre Lamont, who posted 151 career defensive tackles and four interceptions in 41 CFL games with Ottawa. Winnipeg simultaneously added 12 players to their practice roster, including Canadian receiver Daniel Oladejo. The Blue Bombers open the regular season Friday, June 5, at Calgary.
Sources: 3DownNation
Edmonton Elks Lose Two Defensive Linemen to Season-Ending Achilles Tears
The Edmonton Elks will be without two defensive linemen for the entire 2026 season after both suffered Achilles tears during the preseason, per a report from TSN's Farhan Lalji. Veteran defensive end Brandon Barlow, 28, had posted 35 defensive tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one interception in 18 games for Edmonton in 2025. Rookie Canadian defensive tackle Darien Newell, the 10th overall pick in the 2025 CFL Draft, also tore his Achilles; Newell had missed all of 2025 after testing positive for banned substances at the CFL Combine. Offensive tackle Brett Boyko and 2026 second-round pick Benjamin Sangmuah will also open the season on the six-game injured list.
Sources: 3DownNation
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division — Season Opens June 4
1. Alouettes — 0 pts (0-0-0)
2. Argonauts — 0 pts (0-0-0)
3. Tiger-Cats — 0 pts (0-0-0)
4. Redblacks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Western Conference
Western Division — Season Opens June 4
1. Blue Bombers — 0 pts (0-0-0)
2. Roughriders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
3. Stampeders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
4. Elks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
5. Lions — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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