Samwise CFL Newsletter
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
East Final Rematch Opens 2026 CFL Season Thursday at Hamilton Stadium
The 2026 Canadian Football League regular season opens Thursday, June 4 at Hamilton Stadium, where the Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes at 7:30 p.m. ET. The matchup is a rematch of last year's Eastern Final. Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander, who carries an 11-0 regular-season record but missed stretches in 2025 with a hamstring ailment, is expected to start after a preseason knee scare yielded negative X-rays. Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell, entering his fourth season with the Ticats and 14th in the CFL, was named the East Division's outstanding player for the past two seasons. Week 1 also includes Winnipeg at Calgary on Friday and Ottawa at Edmonton on Saturday.
Sources: CFL.ca
Tiger-Cats Rule Out Wynton McManis for Week 1 Season Opener with Knee Injury
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be without Wynton McManis for their 2026 season opener after officially ruling him out Tuesday with a knee injury. Hamilton hosts the Montreal Alouettes on June 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Hamilton Stadium in a rematch of last year's Eastern Final. Bo Levi Mitchell, entering his fourth season with the Ticats and his 14th overall in the CFL, will direct the offence. The Alouettes received positive news of their own as quarterback Davis Alexander's preseason knee scare produced negative X-rays, keeping the starting quarterback on track for the Thursday kickoff.
Sources: 3DownNation
Nathan Rourke Claims Top Spot on TSN's 2026 CFL Top 50 Player Rankings
B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke has been named the top-ranked player in the CFL entering the 2026 season, leading TSN's annual Top 50 CFL players list for the first time. It marks the first time in five years that a Winnipeg Blue Bombers player does not hold the top spot. Rourke, a 28-year-old from Victoria, B.C., threw for 5,290 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 16 regular-season starts in 2025, going 11-5. He also rushed 61 times for 564 yards and 10 touchdowns. Rourke was named the league's Most Outstanding Player, becoming the first Canadian quarterback to win the award since 1969.
Sources: 3DownNation
3DownNation Panel Picks BC Lions as Favorites to Win 113th Grey Cup in Calgary
With the 2026 season opening Thursday, 3DownNation's panel of writers published their predictions for the 113th Grey Cup, set for McMahon Stadium in Calgary. The B.C. Lions are the consensus pick, with JC Abbott projecting a Lions 35–28 win over Hamilton — what he describes as the Lions' first title since 2011 — and Andrew Hoskins predicting a 33–30 Lions win over the Tiger-Cats in what he has dubbed the “Kitty Bowl.” Griff Bordignon also forecasts a Lions-Hamilton final. Dissenting picks include Peter Klein selecting the Montreal Alouettes and Ryan Ballantine choosing the host Calgary Stampeders to win.
Sources: 3DownNation
Analysts Predict Rourke Repeats as CFL Most Outstanding Player in 2026
3DownNation's panel of CFL analysts published their 2026 season award predictions on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's season opener. B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, who won the Most Outstanding Player award in 2025 — becoming the first Canadian quarterback to capture the honour since 1969 — emerged as the panel's consensus choice to repeat in 2026. Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander, entering the season with an 11-0 regular-season record, was highlighted as the most likely challenger if he remains healthy throughout the campaign. The panel also made picks for the full slate of CFL year-end awards, including Most Outstanding Canadian.
Sources: 3DownNation
Roughriders Lead AMSOIL Week 1 Power Rankings as Defending Champions
The defending champion Saskatchewan Roughriders open the 2026 CFL season atop the AMSOIL Power Rankings, released Tuesday by CFL.ca ahead of Thursday's season opener. The pre-season rankings factor in last season's results, off-season moves, and training camp and preseason action. Quarterback Trevor Harris reinforced Saskatchewan's status as the team to beat, completing all three of his preseason attempts for 82 yards. The Roughriders, who start the regular season on a bye, open their title defence on June 13 against the B.C. Lions, a rematch of last year's West Division Final, when the club will also raise its fifth championship banner.
Sources: CFL.ca
Montreal Alouettes Lock In Three Players on Extensions Through 2027
The Montreal Alouettes have extended three players through the 2027 season. American offensive lineman Des Holmes, who made five appearances in 2025 including four starts at left tackle and was previously with the Ottawa Redblacks, signed on. American defensive back Don Callis, a 25-year-old from Troy University, appeared in four regular-season games and contributed a special teams tackle across the East Final and Grey Cup. Completing the trio is Canadian defensive back Arthur Hamlin, selected 29th overall in the 2024 CFL Canadian Draft, who appeared in 16 games last season recording 17 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, and one interception.
Sources: 3DownNation
Eastern Conference
Eastern Division — Pre-Season (Season Opens June 4)
Montreal Alouettes — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Toronto Argonauts — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Western Conference
Western Division — Pre-Season
Saskatchewan Roughriders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
B.C. Lions — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Edmonton Elks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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