The Edmonton Elks have signed American defensive back Chelen Garnes to a contract extension through the 2027 CFL season, 3DownNation has confirmed. The Canadian Press was first to report the news.
The 25-year-old Garnes played in 18 regular-season games, starting 16 with 10 at strong-side linebacker and six at safety, for the Double E in his rookie CFL season last year. He recorded 62 defensive tackles, one special teams stop and one interception. The five-foot-11, 207-pound DB was named Edmonton’s Most Outstanding Rookie in 2025.
Garnes joined the Green and Gold after three seasons with Wake Forest University. The Waldorf, Maryland native suited up for 32 games with the Demon Deacons from 2021 through 2023, recording 145 total tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, 10 passes defended, 4.5 sacks, and one interception. He spent the 2019 season with Naval Academy Athletics and where he appeared in 13 games.
Garnes was signed by the Detroit Lions in May of 2024, suiting up for three preseason games and recording three tackles, but was released in August. He earned $18,000 USD in the NFL.
Edmonton 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 team’s leading rusher was Justin Rankin with 1,013 yards, the leading receiver was Kaion Julien-Grant with 820 yards, and the 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.
