CFL West preview: Can Lions star QB Nathan Rourke seize first Grey Cup?

Nathan Rourke grew to become the primary Canadian quarterback to win the CFL’s most excellent participant award since Russ Jackson in 1969 because of his distinctive play final season.

Now, the B.C. Lions pivot desires to match one other feat completed by Jackson that very same 12 months by turning into the primary Canuck beginning QB for the reason that Ottawa Rough Riders legend to seize the Grey Cup.

The 28-year-old Rourke was again to high kind final 12 months after an up-and-down return to the CFL halfway by means of 2024 within the aftermath of some cups of espresso within the NFL.

With former quarterback Buck Pierce at head coach for his first season, Rourke had a person who is aware of what it is wish to be in his sneakers operating the operation.

After falling simply quick in opposition to the eventual Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders within the West ultimate final 12 months, the Lions will look to take one other step in 2026.

Finishing first within the West would give the workforce a giant enhance. The house workforce has gained the West ultimate the previous 5 seasons.

But it will not be straightforward for Rourke. All 5 groups within the West have returning head coaches and beginning quarterbacks in spite of everything however the Edmonton Elks, who’re anticipated to enhance, completed over .500 and made the playoffs final season.

After the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes within the CFL season opener Thursday, play within the West will get going Friday when the Calgary Stampeders entertain the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Here’s a have a look at the West this 12 months, with groups listed so as of predicted end:

Last season: 11-7, second in West, misplaced to Saskatchewan in division ultimate.
Head coach: Buck Pierce (11-7 in a single season in CFL, with B.C.).

A final-minute landing by the Roughriders prevented the Lions from going to the Grey Cup final season of their first 12 months below Pierce, beforehand the offensive co-ordinator for Winnipeg.

The Lions have a number of the high offensive weapons within the league with Rourke main the cost at quarterback. He’s joined by star operating again James Butler and top-five receivers Keon Hatcher Sr. and Justin McInnis.

The Lions should enhance defensively in the event that they wish to win their first Grey Cup in 15 years. Only the league-worst Ottawa Redblacks and second-worst Toronto Argonauts allowed extra factors than B.C. final 12 months

To that finish, the Lions added two-time CFL East all-star defensive lineman Casey Sayles from Hamilton to hitch Canadian sack specialist Mathieu Betts up entrance.

The Lions are also bringing in veteran linebacker Darnell Sankey after two straight division all-star seasons in Montreal.

One burning query: How will the Lions deal with a protracted stretch away from house?

With the World Cup at BC Place, the Lions will not play a house recreation at their regular stadium till Week 8. They will play two house video games in Kelowna, B.C. together with three street contests earlier than returning to Vancouver.

2. Saskatchewan Roughriders

Last season: 12-6, first in West, beat Montreal in Grey Cup.
Head coach: Corey Mace (21-14-1 in two seasons in CFL, each with Saskatchewan. Won Grey Cup final 12 months).

The pulse on the Roughriders

Quarterback Trevor Harris, who turned 40 final week, seems to be getting higher with age. The Grey Cup MVP returns to steer the workforce after successful his first championship as a starter final 12 months.

Running again AJ Ouellette was second within the league in speeding final season and Harris has good targets in Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker.

The greater questions might come on defence with the Roughriders shedding a number of gamers from their defensive position, together with Malik Carney and Shane Ray. Key linebacker AJ Allen additionally left for Ottawa, however the Roughriders received an excellent participant on the similar place again in Josh Woods from B.C.

Mace, a defensive coach, has confirmed he is greater than able to guiding his models to wonderful outcomes.

The burning query: Can Harris be the following Henry Burris or Damon Allen?

Burris and Allen each gained Grey Cups as beginning quarterbacks at age 41. Harris will attempt to be part of them as a 40-something champion.

Last season: 7-11, fifth in West, missed playoffs.
Head coach: Mark Kilam (7-11 in a single season in CFL, with Edmonton).

After going to veteran Cody Fajardo at quarterback rather than Canadian Tre Ford (now with Hamilton), the Elks gained six of their final 11 video games below a rookie head coach in Kilam.

After lacking the playoffs the previous 5 seasons, the Elks have purpose to imagine they will get again on this season. Their Canadian expertise has improved they usually have higher weapons for Fajardo after signing receivers Austin Mack (Montreal) and Brendan O’Leary-Orange (Hamilton) to hitch Kaion Julien-Grant.

At operating again, Justin Rankin most likely is the perfect dual-threat within the league.

On defence, the Elks added Carney from Saskatchewan after he had eight sacks final season. Tyrell Ford is without doubt one of the high cornerbacks within the league and the Elks are also robust on particular groups with Javon Leake at returner and Jake Julien at punter.

The burning query: Can the Elks keep away from one other sluggish begin?

The previous three years, the Elks have began 0-9 (2023), 0-7 (2024) and 1-6 (2025). You cannot win a Grey Cup within the first half of the season, however you positively can lose one.

Last season: 11-7, third in West, misplaced to B.C. in division semifinal.
Head coach: Dave Dickenson (95-60-3 in 9 CFL seasons, all with Calgary. Won 2018 Grey Cup).

The pulse on the Stampeders

The acquisition of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. from B.C. earlier than final season was a key think about turning round a program that went 11-24-1 the earlier two seasons. The Stamps signed Adams to a contract extension this low season, giving them stability at an important place on the sphere in a 12 months by which they host the Grey Cup.

League-leading operating again Dedrick Mills returns and is joined by RB/harmful return man Tyreik McAllister, who’s again within the CFL after bouncing across the NFL for 2 seasons.

At receiver, the Stamps misplaced 2025 CFL Draft first-overall decide Damian Alford to the New Orleans Saints, however nonetheless have a really strong crew with returnees Reggie Begelton and Jalen Philpot, together with Dejon Brissett (Toronto).

The Stamps received nice information Sunday when high defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings signed a three-year contract after being launched by the Minnesota Vikings. He types a strong duo up entrance with Folarin Orimolade, who suffered a season-ending Achilles harm final season.

At linebacker, the Stamps misplaced Jacob Roberts to the Vikings.

The burning query: Can the Stampeders keep wholesome?

Calgary misplaced extra man video games to harm than any workforce within the CFL, together with many to key gamers. That actually might have been a giant think about why the workforce struggled to seek out consistency after a 5-1 begin final season.

Last season: 10-8, fourth in West, misplaced to Montreal in East semifinal as crossover workforce.
Head coach: Mike O’Shea (117-77 in 11 CFL seasons, all with Winnipeg. Won Grey Cups in 2019 and 2021).

The pulse on the Blue Bombers

The Blue Bombers’ run of Grey Cup recreation berths ended at 5 because the workforce fell two wins wanting taking part in within the championship recreation on their house area.

It was a down 12 months for two-time MOP Zach Collaros. With the quarterback turning 38 this 12 months, it is going to be fascinating to see if he can recapture his MOP kind. The Blue Bombers hope they’ve their quarterback of the longer term in strong-armed Canadian Taylor Elgersma, who has arrived within the CFL after being unable to lock down a spot within the NFL.

Winnipeg-born star operating again Brady Oliveira returns, together with veteran receivers Nic Demski and Ontaria Wilson. Tim White (Hamilton) and Tommy Nield (Saskatchewan) be part of the receiving corps.

Defensive lineman Jake Ceresna comes over from Edmonton to hitch veteran Willie Jefferson up entrance.

Linebacker Tony Jones was second within the league in tackles final season and defensive again Evan Holm was the workforce’s high defensive participant final season.

Returner Trey Vaval is a pressure on particular groups.

Burning query: Can the Bombers prolong their contending window?

The Blue Bombers did not win a playoff recreation for the primary time since 2017 final 12 months after making the post-season for the ninth 12 months in a row. Was it merely a one-year blip?