3DownNation’s power rankings are created by having our contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9 independently, then averaging out the scores. Each team’s most recent ranking is listed in brackets.

Enjoy the rankings and feel free to roast us on social media for anything you think we got wrong.

1) Saskatchewan Roughriders (1)

x

2) B.C. Lions (3)

x

3) Montreal Alouettes (2)

x

4) Hamilton Tiger-Cats (4)

x

5) Calgary Stampeders (5)

x

6) Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6)

x

7) Edmonton Elks (7)

x

8) Ottawa Redblacks (8)

x

9) Toronto Argonauts (9)

x

The 27-year-old surpasses what Bo Levi Mitchell earned in his highest-paid year in the CFL and could come close to Michael Reilly’s pay level from the same season. Reilly earned $725,000 in 2019 while Mitchell collected $675,000. No three-down league quarterbacks have reached that high until now.

Rourke is scheduled to earn $684,700 in hard money for the 2026 season. He will receive a $275,000 base salary, $210,000 February 5 active roster bonus, $160,000 in marketing money, $14,700 in housing and a $10,000 training allowance.

Rourke is scheduled to earn $699,700 in hard money for the 2027 season. He will receive a $300,000 base salary, $215,000 February 1 active roster bonus, $160,000 in marketing money, $14,700 in housing and a $10,000 training allowance.

Rourke is scheduled to earn $704,700 in hard money for the 2028 season. He will receive a $310,000 base salary, $220,000 February 1 active roster bonus, $150,000 in marketing money, $14,700 in housing and a $10,000 training allowance. Half his base salary, $155,000, is guaranteed in the final year.

Each season includes $9,000 in additional all-star and award incentives: $1,000 for West all-star, $2,000 for CFL all-star, $3,000 for Most Outstanding Canadian and $3,000 for league MOP.

It’s a well-deserved contract extension for Rourke. He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2025 and Most Outstanding Canadian after completing 70.4 percent of his passes for 5,290 yards with 31 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 18 regular-season games. The dual-threat QB also rushed 61 times for 564 yards and 10 majors.

Reilly led Edmonton to a Grey Cup win in 2015, earned championship game MVP honours, claimed an MOP award in 2017 and produced three straight 5,000-yard passing seasons, leading to his benchmark contract with the B.C. Lions in February 2019.

Mitchell led Calgary to Grey Cup wins in 2014 and 2018, earned championship game MVP honours both times, claimed MOP awards in 2016 and 2018, while throwing for 5,000 yards in two-out-of-three seasons leading in his wallet-busting contract from John Hufnagel.

However, there’s a key difference from back then to now: marketing money in the three-down league is uncapped. Reilly and Mitchell were unable to access that money when those mega deals were signed as it could have increased their compensation.

The CFL’s salary cap has jumped from $5.25 million in 2019 to $6.28 million in 2026, which gives B.C. general manager Ryan Rigmaiden more money to work with to support Rourke in his Grey Cup quest. No. 12 was the highest-paid player in the league in 2025, earning $624,200, but fell short to the Saskatchewan Roughriders 24-21 in the West Final.

“For 2022, we were excited that we were there. Last year, we were expecting to win, and that’s why it felt so tough when we ended up losing. Our expectation was that we were going to win that game,” Rourke said.

“I want to win championships, that’s the most important thing to me. I think we would agree that the deal is something that we are all comfortable with moving forward.”

Neither future Canadian Football Hall of Fame quarterback was able to lead their teams to a Grey Cup title while playing through those high-end contracts with B.C. and Calgary, respectively. That’s the test for Rourke, leading the Lions to a CFL championship as the league’s highest-paid player.

“Towards the end, the biggest two it came down to were B.C. and Montreal. They were both very interested, and they’re both very appealing teams. It was a very hard decision from that standpoint, they’re both very successful organizations this past year and I have a lot of respect for both coaching staffs,” Crum told 3DownNation.

“Honestly, one of the biggest draws of Montreal is coach [Jason] Maas and some things he’s built there culturally, what they do and what they believe is something that I’ve been able to have a lot of respect for from afar. It’s something I’m very excited to be a part of in the future.”

Crum signed a one-year contract with the Alouettes, which includes $140,000 in hard money for the 2026 CFL season. The 27-year-old enters his fourth year in Canada as Davis Alexander’s backup. He’s looking forward to learning from Alexander, Maas, offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo plus other teammates and coaches in La Belle province.

“Coach Maas has built a tremendous culture over there, a winning culture. They truly force you when you’ve played them the past three years, they force you to truly beat them, they’re not going to beat themselves,” Crum said.

“They don’t shoot themselves in the foot, per se, in a lot of games, so they’ve been able to win a lot of games. That’s what you have to do in professional football.”

Former Redblacks general manager, Marcel Desjardins played a role in Crum joining Montreal. Desjardins was in Ottawa when his name was added to the team’s negotiation list. The 59-year-old has been an assistant to general manager Danny Maciocia and player personnel since January 2024.

“He was the guy that helped me get into the league. That definitely was a little bit a part of it, I would think. He’s known about me since I was in college and helped me end up getting into Ottawa. Now, he’s over in Montreal. A lot of connections, and hopefully, I can prove their belief in me right,” Crum said.

Crum started 14 games during his rookie CFL season in the nation’s capital in 2023. He called that a “unique” experience because it’s rare for a first-year quarterback to start at all, let alone so many games. The six-foot, 210-pound QB believes that’s the image coaches, talent evaluators, and fans have in their minds about him as a player. Although, the Grafton, OH native believes he has improved since.

“As a rookie coming in the CFL, there’s so much to learn as a quarterback. The coverages are so much different than what you experience in American football. The pace of the game, the routes, and the throws, there’s nothing that’s truly the same, to be honest. They’re close, but there’s nothing completely the same, so making that adjustment has been huge,” Crum explained.

“Running and being a mobile guy is a part of my game, I’m not saying it’s not, but to be very frank that rookie year I was playing backyard football. Looking back at who I was this past season versus my rookie year, it’s like two totally different guys. It’s funny to go back and watch those games sometimes and see how I’ve changed. I owe a lot of that to coach Tommy Condell, he did a great job helping me learn the game.”

Through three CFL seasons, Crum has started 20 regular season games. All those starts came with the projected No. 1 QB being hurt and in some cases a backup suffering an injury. He has gained valuable experience even though the dual-threat pivot was not a first choice to start, yet. However, Crum has belief he can become a franchise CFL quarterback.

“It’s definitely a goal of mine. It’s something I would like to accomplish before I’m done in the league is to be able to be that guy and prove that I am worthy of that as well. That’s hopefully something on the horizon for me that I’m working towards,” he said confidently. 

“It’s one of the toughest things as a quarterback in this league, there’s nine teams, so if no one retires or ends up getting benched or let go or something, there’s no spots open. You got to continue to grow, get better, develop and wait for that opportunity to come.”

In Montreal, Crum has a chance to learn from one of the best to ever play football’s most important position in the CFL in Calvillo and work towards his goal to become a bonafide starter while providing the Alouettes experience behind Alexander.

After leading the CFL in defensive tackles last season, the 32-year-old believed he had entrenched himself at the centre of the B.C. Lions’ defence. The team, it turned out, had other plans.

“I’ll be honest with you, it was a complete surprise. It was a complete 180. I thought I was gonna be back in B.C.,” Awe revealed, speaking for the first time about his January release.

“But if you guys look at my Wikipedia, every time people ask me, ‘How many teams have you been on?’ I’m like, ‘Do you really want to know? Do you have five minutes?’ At the end of the day, when it happened to me, I’m like, ‘Why am I surprised?'”

Awe amassed a league-leading 114 defensive tackles in 2025, while adding three special teams tackles, one forced fumble, and two interceptions. Still, it wasn’t enough to make his fourth stint in B.C. permanent, as the Lions picked up three-time all-star Darnell Sankey on the free agent market to become their new middle linebacker. That made the incumbent expendable, and he was released several weeks later.

That’s an all-too-familiar narrative for Awe. No matter how statistically productive he’s been, teams have always chosen to move on. In addition to his stops in B.C. (2017, 2018, 2022, 2025), he has also spent time with the Toronto Argonauts (2019), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2020), Ottawa Redblacks (2021), Montreal Alouettes (2022), and Calgary Stampeders (2023-2024). Never has he been able to stay in one place for more than two seasons.

“For whatever reason, personnel, GMs, coaches, they see me as a guy that they can use whenever they want to use,” Awe shrugged. “And if that’s my role, that’s my role. But whenever I do my role, I’m going to be the best at it. Regardless, I’m here in Montreal, and people have to pay.”

Awe joined the Alouettes in April after two-and-a-half months of free agency, making his way from Vancouver to Montreal for the second time in his career. He believes it to be a perfect fit both on and off the field, likening his own diverse background to the city’s reputation as a cultural melting pot.

The five-foot-11, 216-pound defender also made clear that he has unfinished business stemming from his first tenure with the organization.

“It’s something that’s always been close to my heart. The last game I played for Montreal was the 2022 Eastern Final that we lost,” Awe said. “I actually didn’t play, but I cried, and I still remember that feeling. It’s one of those things that I’ve always wanted to come back.”

The Alouettes have enjoyed considerable team success since then, winning the Grey Cup in 2023 and reaching the title game again last season, only to fall short. Awe has watched those accomplishments with both jealousy and admiration, determined to become a part of it himself.

What remains unclear is what role he’ll play in Montreal, as it was a ratio change at middle linebacker that prompted the Alouettes to release their incumbent standout Sankey early this offseason, setting the wheels in motion for Awe’s own release by the Lions. Canadian Geoffrey Cantin-Arku is being handed the keys, but Awe still sees a path to playing time.

“I’m gonna find a way to get on the field. That’s always my job,” he vowed. “It’s up to personnel, GM Danny (Maciocia), to choose, and it’s my part to make it hard.”

Awe noted that a number of players from his rookie class, like William Stanback and DaVaris Daniels, chose to retire this offseason, but he still feels at the top of his game — even if it hasn’t always been recognized by GMs or media members.

“It’s not about the age; everyone says that. It’s about the film,” he insisted. “You go put the film on, and my biggest thing I got last year that really confirmed it is a CFLPA all-star. That’s your own opponents, your own peer group, saying this was the best Mike linebacker.”

“For me, I don’t care about any stats, because it doesn’t even matter. They won’t even give it to me. I don’t care. It’s about getting back to that Grey Cup and not just getting there, it’s about winning.”

The Montreal Alouettes opened training camp on Sunday, May 10. The team plays its two preseason games against the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday, May 22, and Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the team will play its first regular-season game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Thursday, June 4.

That’s why Dickenson wanted to sign Adams Jr. to a contract extension through the 2028 Canadian Football League season.

“We’re trying to set this up for not just this year. The continuity and having a quarterback that can lead your team, set the culture, and continue to play good football, that’s the sign of a winning organization. We wanted to do that and we’re happy to get it done,” Dickenson told the media.

“When you’re wanted, that feels great. Everybody likes stability. I’ve always wanted to play here, so why not extend? Keep building on something special. There’s always room to grow. You can never settle, you can never get complacent,” Adams Jr. added.

“I really believe last year, towards the back half of the year, he was really doing some great things. He felt healthy, extending plays, using his feet, making good decisions, pushing the ball down the field when he needs to, but still taking the completions when not,” Dickenson said.

“I thought honestly he was playing his best football at the end of the year, so we expect a big year from him. No pressure as far as lighting the world on fire — go do your job, be that guy you’ve always been — but improve, when you grow, that’s success in my mind.”

Growth for the team would mean advancing past the West Semi-Final. The Stampeders have not won a playoff game since 2018 when the team won 106th the Grey Cup. Calgary was upset by Winnipeg in 2019, lost to Saskatchewan in 2021, fell to B.C. in 2022 and 2023, and did not make the postseason in 2024.

With Cowtown hosting the CFL championship game at McMahon Stadium in November, the Stamps would like to contend with Dickenson and Adams Jr. leading the way.

The Calgary Stampeders recently selected Angelo State linebacker Eric Rascoe with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding a key piece to pair with veteran Micah Teitz. The team’s other major offseason addition was receiver Dejon Brissett, who set a career-high with 907 receiving yards with the Toronto Argonauts in 2025.

All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Calgary will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Monday, May 18 and its first regular-season game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday, June 5.

In 2025, Calgary finished third in the West Division standings with an 11-7 record but lost the West Semi-Final to the B.C. Lions.

Any additional components — often referred to as “playtime” or “performance incentives” — are outlined in part or in full in the paragraph accompanying each player. These bonuses are often tied to how much a player sees the field, produces yardage, scores a touchdown, makes tackles, or whether or not they’re named an all-star.

“N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes American players, and “G” denotes Global players.

Kickers/Punters

1) Sergio Castillo, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $140,000
Maximum value: $152,000

xxxx

2) Sean Whyte, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $140,000
Maximum value: $146,000

XXXX

3) Rene Paredes, Calgary Stampeders (N)

Hard money: $130,000
Maximum value: $136,000

XXXX

4) Marc Liegghio, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)

Hard money: $116,500
Maximum value: $127,900

XXXX

5) Lirim Hajrullahu, Toronto Argonauts (N)

Hard money: $107,500
Maximum value: $139,000

XXXX

6) Jake Julien, Edmonton Elks (N)

Hard money: $103,500
Maximum value: $105,500

XXXX

7) John Haggerty, Toronto Argonauts (G)

Hard money: $100,000
Maximum value: $102,000

XXXX

8) Jamieson Sheahan, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (G)

Hard money: $100,000
Maximum value: $100,000

XXXX

9) Joseph Zema, Montreal Alouettes (G)

Hard money: $97,000
Maximum value: $103,000

XXXX

10) Jose Maltos Diaz, Montreal Alouettes (G)

Hard money: $93,500
Maximum value: $107,500

XXXX

11) Brett Lauther, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: $92,500
Maximum value: $108,500

XXXX

Kick returners

1) Kalil Pimpleton, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $135,000
Maximum value: $141,000

XXXX

2) Javon Leake, Edmonton Elks (A)

Hard money: $135,000
Maximum value: $140,000

The former CFL Most Outstanding Special Teams Player got a $15,000 bonus to rework his deal in January. Leake will also make $89,800 in salary, $14,700 in housing, $2,000 in travel, and $1,000 in training. The native of Bronx, N.Y., earned a $5,000 bonus when he reported to training camp and passed his physical, plus up to $5,000 in awards and performance incentives.

3) James Letcher Jr., Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)

Hard money: $125,300
Maximum value: $137,700

XXXX

4) Janarion Grant, Toronto Argonauts (A)

Hard money: $120,300
Maximum value: $128,800

XXXX

5) DeVonte Dedmon, Montreal Alouettes (A)

Hard money: $119,500
Maximum value: $130,500

XXXX

6) Peyton Logan, Toronto Argonauts (A)

Hard money: $95,300
Maximum value: $122,300

XXXX

7) Trey Vaval, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)

Hard money: $95,000
Maximum value: $109,000

XXXX

8) Mario Alford, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)

Hard money: $92,500
Maximum value: $112,000+

XXXX

9) Tyreik McAllister, Calgary Stampeders (A)

Hard money: $81,500
Maximum value: $100,000

XXXX

Long snappers

1) Louis-Philippe Bourassa, Montreal Alouettes (N)

Hard money: $105,000
Maximum value: $105,000

XXXX

2) Gordon Whyte, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (N)

Hard money: $96,000
Maximum value: $96,000

XXXX

3) Luke Burton-Krahn, Edmonton Elks (N)

Hard money: $93,000
Maximum value: $99,000

XXXX

4) Adam Guillemette, Toronto Argonauts (N)

Hard money: $93,000
Maximum value: $93,000

XXXX

5) Aaron Crawford, Saskatchewan Roughriders (N)

Hard money: $83,000
Maximum value: $91,000

XXXX

6) Peter Adjey, Ottawa Redblacks (N)

Hard money: 
Maximum value:

XXXX

Whether it was Avon Cobourne, Brandon Whitaker, Cory Boyd, Chad Kackert, or Greg Bell in the past, every primary ball carrier in Milanovich’s offence has to be a reliable QB protector.

Bell signed with the Ottawa Redblacks in February during CFL free agency, which left Hamilton without an incumbent starter. Americans Shane Watts, Larry Rountree III and Avery Morrow along with Canadians Johnny Augustine and Ante Milanovic-Litre are competing for the RB1 position.

“I told them: ‘If you can’t protect, I don’t care how good you run it, you’re not going to be able to play for us.’ We’re going to take the best guy that we think is going to help us. The one constant: they gotta be able to protect,” Milanovich emphasized to the media.

“If they can’t protect, you can’t play in this game, you can’t play in the NFL. The quarterback’s going to get killed. The defensive coordinators in our league in the last 10 to 15 years have gotten so good with their pressures and they’re multiple. The guys have to be smart, otherwise you get a bunch of quarterback injuries.”

According to Watts, he was with the Ticats for about six weeks last year, off and on, which helped him understand the waggles and Milanovich’s playbook. Meanwhile, Rountree III was signed in January after earning approximately $1.2 million USD in the NFL and playing two seasons in the United Football League with the Birmingham Stallions. Morrow’s a professional rookie while Augustine and Milanovic-Litre are CFL veterans.

Rountree III set the University of Missouri school mark for rushing yards by a running back (3,720) during his time (2017-2020) with the Tigers in the Southeastern Conference. The 27-year-old dropped 30 pounds entering his first three-down league training camp. He played four-down football at 235 pounds and reported to McMaster University at 205 pounds.

“Coach [Jarryd Baines] told me in the meeting: ‘Fellas, you gotta be able to run.’ Coming into rookie camp I felt great. The whole time we were doing conditioning, I wasn’t even tired,” Rountree III told the media.

“I’m getting used to my body being this light, being able to run and not get tired. Up here in the CFL, you gotta be able to run and move.”

Rountree III sought CFL advice from former teammates Tyler Snead and Aubrey Miller Jr. Snead he played with at Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, while Miller Jr. spent three seasons at Missouri alongside him. He also spoke to Toronto Argonauts’ strong-side linebacker Adarius Pickett about what to expect playing in Canada.

Milanovich would like to have a starting running back in place prior to the team’s final preseason game against the Argos on Friday, May 29, but it’s very possible the competition could come down to how the players perform at the University of Guelph. However, the 53-year-old head coach does not solely rely on exhibition games for his evaluations, pads will be on “most of the time” in training camp with live one-on-one blocking drills and team periods critical for the ball carriers vying to start.

“You gotta do things a little bit differently when you’re looking for a tailback and you don’t have any incumbent because the preseason games aren’t really enough. The thing that’s consistent: they got to be able to protect the quarterback,” Milanovich said.

“They are the guy that’s going to touch the ball most, I expect our tailback to be around 1,500 yards between run and pass total in a season, if they’re healthy. That’s about what Greg was at last year. They got to be able to protect the quarterback or we can’t play them.”

The Tiger-Cats have six days between the team’s final exhibition game and regular season opener at Hamilton Stadium against the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, June 4. Milanovich stated the players his coaching staff knows are starters probably won’t play in the last preseason game. Although, players who are battling for starting spots and to make the team will suit up.

There are just nine days remaining until the highly touted Canadian quarterback will be made incarnate for viewers during the team’s preseason opener on Saturday, May 23, in Saskatoon. While that game will not be broadcast on TSN, the Winnipeg faithful will flock to the CFL’s online streaming service for a glimpse at the potential heir to Zach Collaros.

Those first live reps have been anticipated for over a year, which should make the first impression all the more potent. But while he’s itching to see the field, Elgersma is choosing not to look that far ahead.

“It’s really living in the moment and being where your feet are,” he told the Winnipeg media on Thursday. “When we’re going and competing against the defence, like we go against every single day, you see those guys are flying around, and we’re getting new installs every single night. You don’t want to look too far ahead. You want to focus on where you are and grow, especially as a young guy. I’ve got to really soak in every single rep that I get. I’ve really got to soak in every single coaching point I’m getting and try to make those improvements daily. And then we’ll see where we get to at the end of this.”

According to reports from training camp, Elgersma has taken the majority of the number two reps in the early going. By all accounts, he’s been impressive, but there is still plenty of competition for the coveted backup job. Incumbent Terry Wilson remains in the fold, while former UFL MVP Bryce Perkins and Auburn signal-caller Payton Thorne are also pushing for an opportunity.

In typical fashion, head coach Mike O’Shea didn’t provide any insight as to how the position battle was progressing when asked for his thoughts, instead complimenting the group’s leadership as a whole. However, he made clear that it would be preseason reps that would be most important in determining the outcome.

“We’ll let the preseason games sort of unfold and see where that takes us,” he insisted. “Obviously, we don’t need preseason games to say that Zach is a stud. How they all sort of sort out after that — to me, we wouldn’t be doing them any favours if we determined on day four of main camp where they all slotted.”

“(The preseason) is, I think, where it matters most. They’re not getting hit here, and there’s potential in preseason that they’re going to get touched even — they don’t get touched here. Being able to process through a call in a game situation — it’s different. We definitely want to see that.”

Elgersma was no more forthcoming with how he felt he was faring in practice, though the Hec Crighton Trophy winner did indicate he was holding his own. When growth is the goal, there is little time for pats on the back.

“I have a high standard of how I play, and I think that there are a lot of things that I can improve upon. I think that we’re all trying to ultimately be the best version of ourselves, and so my job every single day is to come in here, compete to the highest level and get better,” he said. “I’ve got a long road ahead. I’ll hopefully have a long career, and my job is to get better every single day, learn from Zach and compete. Obviously, there’s things that I can do better each and every single day, but I feel like I’m out there and I’m competing.”

As anticipated as Elgersma’s debut might be to fans, new teammates seem to share the sentiment. Former CFL Most Outstanding Player Brady Oliveira indicated that he reached out to the Wilfrid Laurier product shortly after he was signed and is eager to see the offseason hype become reality.

“We’ve heard a lot about him the last 12 months or whenever we drafted him,” the star running back said earlier this week. “It’s good to finally have him here, see what he’s able to do, the product he puts on the field. From watching him, getting ready for camp in the offseason, he was here a little bit earlier, getting to throw with him, he’s got a massive arm on him. The touch that he puts on the ball, it’s something that you can’t really teach — you’re gifted with that. He throws a really pretty ball.”

“Let’s see how he learns a pro playbook. I know he’s had some opportunities with some other pro teams, but let’s see how he digests everything, if he can go out there and continue to perform well. Really excited to see what guys like that do in a preseason game. Are you built for game day? I think he is.”

In the meantime, Elgersma isn’t tuning out his competition, but rather trying to learn from what Wilson, Perkins, and Thorne do well. He’s also absorbing all he can from Collaros, whom he admires especially for his ability to balance being a demanding leader with being an approachable teammate.

The 37-year-old has offered plenty of invaluable feedback as the rookie works to master Tommy Condell’s detailed and demanding offence, giving him the tools that he may one day use to succeed him.

“Zach’s a guy that he wants you to see it. He understands, he’s been in this league for a long time, we’re all gonna make mistakes. This is about growing,” Elgersma said. “We’re trying to get ready, ultimately, for the preseason, but we’re really trying to get ready for Week 1 so we can go and win some football games and help the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He does a really good job of trying to explain what he sees on a play and maybe what would get him through his progression faster, or where he went with the ball in his mind watching it. I think it’s very effective.”

The real gauge of Collaros’ impact will come when the live bullets start flying against the Saskatchewan Roughriders next week. If Elgersma performs well, the official anointing will begin. If he struggles in his CFL debut, critics of his delayed path to Winnipeg will be all too happy to dismiss him as overrated.

The 24-year-old isn’t giving a moment’s thought to that dynamic. There are still too many practices in front of him and a hefty playbook to master.

“Ultimately, it’s how can I come here every single day, compete to the best of my abilities, learn from my mistakes and not make the same mistake twice,” Elgersma said. “I think that’s gonna be a big theme for me as a young guy.  I’m seeing stuff for the first time. We’re getting used to stuff as a group. How can I not make the same mistakes twice, and how can I get better?”

The 27-year-old entered 2026 training camp as the front-runner to win the job behind franchise QB Trevor Harris after Jake Maier signed with the Ottawa Redblacks in CFL free agency.

“Trevor’s been an amazing influence on me. My routine is a lot to do because of him. He’s the starter, so I try to do a little bit more, whether I do that or not probably depends on the day — me and Trevor are always trying to out-work each other,” Coan told the media.

“We pretty much do everything together. I think every QB in the league should model their game after him. I know there’s a few other QBs in the league that have asked him questions, and Trevor’s like, ‘Look, I can’t help you right now, you’re on a different team.’ I’m lucky to be in his room and get to know what he does on a daily basis.”

The six-foot-three, 218-pound pivot admitted it’s a challenge to outwork Harris and would not say if he does or doesn’t. Regardless, learning from a 14-year veteran has helped the Sayville, N.Y., native develop since arriving in Canada two years ago after stints with the Indianapolis Colts and San Antonio Brahmas.

“The way he goes about his weekly preparation is basically the way I do now. He’s done it at a high level for so long in this league; why wouldn’t you try to do exactly what that guy does? He’s been an amazing guy to be around,” Coan said.

Saskatchewan has spent two years putting energy, time and resources into Coan and is looking to have those efforts pay dividends. He has to beat out Brayden Schager and Tommy Stevens for the number two spot, and performances in exhibition games will go a long way towards deciding the depth chart order.

“From a mental standpoint, he’s going to know it as well as anybody; it’s about going out there and executing. Jack, he’s getting better every single day. Ultimately, we get to these preseason games, we’ll see what that looks like with live bullets going,” head coach Corey Mace told the media.

“Jack’s been around the system now three years. He’s always been in Trevor’s hip pocket, so someone that can mimic what that looks like. But, he’s his own man. He’s got to go out there and take advantage of the reps that’s he’s getting. He’s competing just like everyone else.”

The former Wisconsin and Notre Dame star continued to work on his arm strength in the offseason to prepare for the most important CFL training camp in his career to date. He also aimed to improve his ability to move around and tried to put on muscle for added strength.

“It’s my third year in the offence, so I feel a lot more comfortable. I can look at plays and film at a different level now than learning everything for the first time,” Coan said.

By all accounts, Schager seems to be attracting attention from the Riders’ coaching staff. The 22-year-old signed with Saskatchewan last September, which gave him extra time to learn Marc Mueller’s offensive playbook coming into the new campaign. He’s used his advanced preparation to his advantage in Saskatoon.

“Schager’s making the most of his reps,” Mace said.

Monday, May 18, against Calgary and Saturday, May 23, versus Winnipeg will be pivotal games for the Roughriders’ backup quarterback competition.

One might think this is a sign of a player on the decline but it doesn’t appear Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea is at all concerned about the six-time All-CFL selection’s waning sack numbers.

“I think people put too much of a premium on the stat of a sack. I mean, think of how many knockdowns he had last year — those are all dead plays. (The offence is) punting or (the knockdowns) turn into interceptions,” O’Shea told the media on Tuesday.

“They have to account for him, so they work the protection to him, and then somebody has gotta win, too. I think the idea of the stat of a sack can be overrated. How close you are to the quarterback, how you affect the play, how often you affect the play would be more important to measure. He affects a ton of plays and a lot of times, you wouldn’t even notice it, but the play call says that they’re doing that because of Willie.”

Jefferson notched a league-leading 16 pass knockdowns in 2025, improving his career total to 93. He currently ranks second all-time in CFL history behind Hall of Fame defensive back Eddie Davis, who recorded 111 pass knockdowns over 15 seasons with the Birmingham Barracudas, Calgary Stampeders, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

For context, Mathieu Betts tallied a league-leading 15 sacks last season but only four pass knockdowns. Over 79 career regular-season CFL games, he has knocked down seven passes.

That’s not to say Betts isn’t better than Jefferson — the Université Laval product was named the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player for a reason — but the impact of both players is far more comparable when pass knockdowns are taken into consideration alongside sacks.

For what it’s worth, Pro Football Focus had Betts ranked fourth among defensive ends (min. 300 snaps) in 2025, while Jefferson ranked eighth. The three top-graded players at the position were Julian Howsare, Malik Carney, and Clarence Hicks, who recorded 13, eight, and 12 sacks, respectively.

It’s clear that O’Shea also values what Jefferson brings as a leader. The six-foot-six, 252-pound edge rusher has never shied away from helping younger players learn the position and what it takes to be successful in the CFL.

“When he got here, he stepped right up into trying to help guys out,” said O’Shea. “He’s always done that, since the day he got here.”

The native of Beaumont, Texas turned 35 this offseason, though Winnipeg’s longtime head coach doesn’t seem to care about the veteran edge rusher’s age, so long as he’s disrupting opposing offences.

“He’s ageless, timeless,” said O’Shea. “However you want to describe it.”

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened training camp on May 10. Winnipeg will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, May 23 and second preseason game against the B.C. Lions on Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the team will play its first regular-season game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, June 5.

Winnipeg recently selected Wake Forest defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding to the club’s pass rush. The team’s other major offseason additions include receiver Tim White, offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna.

In 2025, the Blue Bombers finished fourth in the West Division standings with a 10-8 record, qualifying for the playoffs as the crossover team before losing the East Semi-Final to the Montreal Alouettes.