The Edmonton Elks have extended a pair of budding defensive stars in American defensive back Kordell Jackson and Canadian defensive lineman Noah Curtis.
Jackson was the Elks’ nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2025, racking up 78 defensive tackles, two sacks, an interception, and 11 passes defended. The Birmingham, Al., native will now be tied to the organization through 2027 as part of a two-year extension.
In 34 career CFL games, Jackson has made starts at halfback, safety, and strong-side linebacker. The 26-year-old has amassed 129 defensive tackles, two sacks, five interceptions, and two forced fumbles in Green and Gold.
Curtis will remain in Edmonton through 2026 after missing the entire 2025 season with a torn ACL.
A fourth-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft, Curtis has suited up in 35 games, recording 44 defensive tackles and eight sacks. The six-foot-five, 302-pound pass rusher has made starts at both defensive end and defensive tackle, making him a uniquely valuable prospect.
The Edmonton Elks finished fifth in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 7-11 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Cody Fajardo started the team’s final 13 regular-season games and went 6-7, throwing for 3,408 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Tre Ford started the first five, going 1-4, and threw for 984 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The Elks ranked ninth in net offence, ninth in net defence, and fifth with a turnover differential of plus-four. The club’s leading rusher was Justin Rankin with 1,013 yards, leading receiver was Kaion Julien-Grant with 820 yards, and leading tackler was Joel Dublanko with 80 tackles. Edmonton finished seventh in attendance with average crowds of 19,050, which was a 7.1 percent decrease from the previous year.
