2025-2026 Offseason thread

[bone]

Just my opinion but I don't think Ford was ever going to live up to his draft status if he stay in Edmonton. Here's why I think that:

- Part of it is, there is a reason we don't see Canadian QB's come from Canadian University. The reason is, competition just isn't there in Canadian University. The coaching isn't as good, the talent they face isn't as good. That isn't to say Canadians aren't good football players, the development just isn't the same as it in the US where it starts way earlier before college. Plus all the best Canadians go to the US.
- Part of Ford's issues is he lost reps due to covid. So he had 1 less year of college development.
- Part of it is I don't think Ford is a "QB" in the truest sense of what you expect a QB to be in his size, and skillset. I think he is more of a pure athlete with a decent arm. So to turn the athlete into a QB IMO will take longer than a guy who's more of a traditional QB type of player.
- Like I said, I think he was taken too high for where he was at skill wise. Which increased the pressure the team would I assume put on him to turn into what they drafted him to be plus he would probably have extra pressure on himself to live up.
- I do think the team didn't handle him properly early on, I think they clearly rushed him. I also think there was some unwillingness from him to do all that was needed to improve on his home. That includes in practice and in the offseason. I don't have information to confirm that he wasn't putting in all the work he need but just things I have heard talked about, hearing him talk and just my own opinion on not seeing a ton of progression from one season to the next after he would have had multiple offseasons to work on his game.


So I do think being on a new team will do him good. Hamilton didn't draft him. They didn't invest years of time and money into him like the Elks did. So if he doesn't work out, all they lost was 1 yr of salary and a roster spot. They of course want every player they bring in to do well but if he doesn't, Oh well, they tried. So I do think he will be under less pressure than he would have ever been under in Edmonton.

And he is playing behind a future hall of famer, so there aren't going to be calls to put him in over the incumbent so even if he's in, there won't be a ton of pressure expecting him to take over long term

Hopefully it serves him well, would still be a great story for a developed in Canada QB to have some success.

[ben_the_eskimo]

Just my opinion but I don't think Ford was ever going to live up to his draft status if he stay in Edmonton. Here's why I think that:

- Part of it is, there is a reason we don't see Canadian QB's come from Canadian University. The reason is, competition just isn't there in Canadian University. The coaching isn't as good, the talent they face isn't as good. That isn't to say Canadians aren't good football players, the development just isn't the same as it in the US where it starts way earlier before college. Plus all the best Canadians go to the US.
- Part of Ford's issues is he lost reps due to covid. So he had 1 less year of college development.
- Part of it is I don't think Ford is a "QB" in the truest sense of what you expect a QB to be in his size, and skillset. I think he is more of a pure athlete with a decent arm. So to turn the athlete into a QB IMO will take longer than a guy who's more of a traditional QB type of player.
- Like I said, I think he was taken too high for where he was at skill wise. Which increased the pressure the team would I assume put on him to turn into what they drafted him to be plus he would probably have extra pressure on himself to live up.
- I do think the team didn't handle him properly early on, I think they clearly rushed him. I also think there was some unwillingness from him to do all that was needed to improve on his home. That includes in practice and in the offseason. I don't have information to confirm that he wasn't putting in all the work he need but just things I have heard talked about, hearing him talk and just my own opinion on not seeing a ton of progression from one season to the next after he would have had multiple offseasons to work on his game.


So I do think being on a new team will do him good. Hamilton didn't draft him. They didn't invest years of time and money into him like the Elks did. So if he doesn't work out, all they lost was 1 yr of salary and a roster spot. They of course want every player they bring in to do well but if he doesn't, Oh well, they tried. So I do think he will be under less pressure than he would have ever been under in Edmonton.

The coaches here in Edmonton had an intriguing lump of clay to work with and ultimately failed to mold it into anything.

Even the new regime handled him a little awkwardly in retrospect. Anointed him the starter but then brought Cody in for a series randomly in a game where Tre had yet to throw an incompletion and was moving the ball well, then in the following game Tre posted a perfect QB rating, but unfortunately followed that up with a complete stinker against BC and never saw the field again. Kind of a weird way to treat a guy whom you had been touting as your franchise guy during the weeks leading up to that.

I honestly think the bad start had more to do with how putrid the Defence was to start the year than it did QB play, but alas, it seems like Kilam may have wanted Cody as the guy all along.

[Esks4ever]

I am still not a fan of Kilam.

[widowmaker]

Elks sign wide receiver Joe Robustelli. At 6'3" and 220 lbs. he's got good size.

A robust move on the first day of free agency to be sure.

[Looner]

Just my opinion but I don't think Ford was ever going to live up to his draft status if he stay in Edmonton. Here's why I think that:

- Part of it is, there is a reason we don't see Canadian QB's come from Canadian University. The reason is, competition just isn't there in Canadian University. The coaching isn't as good, the talent they face isn't as good. That isn't to say Canadians aren't good football players, the development just isn't the same as it in the US where it starts way earlier before college. Plus all the best Canadians go to the US.
- Part of Ford's issues is he lost reps due to covid. So he had 1 less year of college development.
- Part of it is I don't think Ford is a "QB" in the truest sense of what you expect a QB to be in his size, and skillset. I think he is more of a pure athlete with a decent arm. So to turn the athlete into a QB IMO will take longer than a guy who's more of a traditional QB type of player.
- Like I said, I think he was taken too high for where he was at skill wise. Which increased the pressure the team would I assume put on him to turn into what they drafted him to be plus he would probably have extra pressure on himself to live up.
- I do think the team didn't handle him properly early on, I think they clearly rushed him. I also think there was some unwillingness from him to do all that was needed to improve on his home. That includes in practice and in the offseason. I don't have information to confirm that he wasn't putting in all the work he need but just things I have heard talked about, hearing him talk and just my own opinion on not seeing a ton of progression from one season to the next after he would have had multiple offseasons to work on his game.


So I do think being on a new team will do him good. Hamilton didn't draft him. They didn't invest years of time and money into him like the Elks did. So if he doesn't work out, all they lost was 1 yr of salary and a roster spot. They of course want every player they bring in to do well but if he doesn't, Oh well, they tried. So I do think he will be under less pressure than he would have ever been under in Edmonton.

Interesting enough, my son had a recruitment session with Chris Morris a few weeks ago where he spoke about the kids chances of going NCAA and why its highly unlikely that someone that goes through high school in Canada to go that route. He mentioned Chubba Hubbard and how he was scoring almost 7 TDs in a half of football and how he didn't have that many offers, that he had to fight for the few he had. I'm willing to bet that with the emergence of all of the winter options here in Canada that we are going to see a significant up tick in the talent level being produced in the not to distance future.

Don't take this as arguing with you as I'm over the whole Ford thing and wish him nothing but the best.

[dealerd]

https://x.com/jdunk12/status/2021647071246528913?s=46
huge money for Coulter Woodmasney

[Sectionq]

Interesting enough, my son had a recruitment session with Chris Morris a few weeks ago where he spoke about the kids chances of going NCAA and why its highly unlikely that someone that goes through high school in Canada to go that route. He mentioned Chubba Hubbard and how he was scoring almost 7 TDs in a half of football and how he didn't have that many offers, that he had to fight for the few he had. I'm willing to bet that with the emergence of all of the winter options here in Canada that we are going to see a significant up tick in the talent level being produced in the not to distance future.

Don't take this as arguing with you as I'm over the whole Ford thing and wish him nothing but the best.

I am not necessarily saying he's 100% wrong but of course he wants all highschool kids to stay in Canada, preferably go to the U of A so he can keep an eye on them.

I am sure that the majority of Canadian highschool kids don't go to the NCAA but there are multiple Canadians that get drafted to the NFL or in the Canadian draft are taken from US colleges and generally - not all of them - but a lot of the higher ranked guys come from NCAA schools. So while maybe not ALL the cream of the crop go to the US, a bunch do. So that would water down who Ford was playing against when he was in Waterloo.

[widowmaker]

https://x.com/jdunk12/status/2021647071246528913?s=46
huge money for Coulter Woodmasney

The Elks are setting records for the highest paid players for a Canadian O-lineman and an American defensive player in the cap era.

Ed's certainly not adverse to spending money that's for sure.

https://3downnation.com/2026/02/11/o...alary-cap-era/

[Sectionq]

The Elks are setting records for the highest paid players for a Canadian O-lineman and an American defensive player in the cap era.

Ed's certainly not adverse to spending money that's for sure.

https://3downnation.com/2026/02/11/o...alary-cap-era/

Hervey has always said you build your team from the lines out and I agree with that.

If your Oline can't block. You can't do anything offensively. It won't matter how good your receivers or running back is, if the QB is either always running for his life or on his back, your offense won't work.

If your dline is lousy. If they can't stop the run, get any pressure or sacks, then your defense won't work. The Elks defense sucked to start the season but IMO a big part of that was their dline was brutal. As the dline got better and more consistent, their defense got better. Doesn't matter how good your DB's are, if the QB is just allowed to stand back there with no pressure, eventually, receivers will get open or a penalty gets called.

If people remember what Ed did the first time he was GM. Sure he went out and got Reilly but he overhauled the lines.

[dealerd]

Hervey has always said you build your team from the lines out and I agree with that.

If your Oline can't block. You can't do anything offensively. It won't matter how good your receivers or running back is, if the QB is either always running for his life or on his back, your offense won't work.

If your dline is lousy. If they can't stop the run, get any pressure or sacks, then your defense won't work. The Elks defense sucked to start the season but IMO a big part of that was their dline was brutal. As the dline got better and more consistent, their defense got better. Doesn't matter how good your DB's are, if the QB is just allowed to stand back there with no pressure, eventually, receivers will get open or a penalty gets called.

If people remember what Ed did the first time he was GM. Sure he went out and got Reilly but he overhauled the lines.

Excellent take , very true

[dealerd]

Is there anybody else that you would like to see Ed sign ?? Not sure how much money is left , but we have to restock our Canadian depth and special teams I think

[Looner]

Is there anybody else that you would like to see Ed sign ?? Not sure how much money is left , but we have to restock our Canadian depth and special teams I think

I think anyone else we sign will come at a discount

[Looner]

I am not necessarily saying he's 100% wrong but of course he wants all highschool kids to stay in Canada, preferably go to the U of A so he can keep an eye on them.

I am sure that the majority of Canadian highschool kids don't go to the NCAA but there are multiple Canadians that get drafted to the NFL or in the Canadian draft are taken from US colleges and generally - not all of them - but a lot of the higher ranked guys come from NCAA schools. So while maybe not ALL the cream of the crop go to the US, a bunch do. So that would water down who Ford was playing against when he was in Waterloo.

He was most definitely not selling Canadian schools, he gave every option that the kids had and then got pressed in the Q and A period where he hesitated before he said the odds of getting an NCAA offer were low and cited what he knew about Hubbard.

Again I'm not arguing anything about Ford here, he's gone and its time to move on. I've been fortunate enough to be part of the inaugural EE Selects program and have gotten some pretty cool insights into the inner working of football.

[Hammer24]

I am not necessarily saying he's 100% wrong but of course he wants all highschool kids to stay in Canada, preferably go to the U of A so he can keep an eye on them.

I am sure that the majority of Canadian highschool kids don't go to the NCAA but there are multiple Canadians that get drafted to the NFL or in the Canadian draft are taken from US colleges and generally - not all of them - but a lot of the higher ranked guys come from NCAA schools. So while maybe not ALL the cream of the crop go to the US, a bunch do. So that would water down who Ford was playing against when he was in Waterloo.

A lot of the top 20 in the CFL Draft prospects rankings who go the NCAA route don't even graduate in Canada. They leave Canada to finish high school at either US high schools or at prestigious football academies.

[Sectionq]

He was most definitely not selling Canadian schools, he gave every option that the kids had and then got pressed in the Q and A period where he hesitated before he said the odds of getting an NCAA offer were low and cited what he knew about Hubbard.

Again I'm not arguing anything about Ford here, he's gone and its time to move on. I've been fortunate enough to be part of the inaugural EE Selects program and have gotten some pretty cool insights into the inner working of football.

Fair enough.

I got nothing against Ford, I hope he does well. But after watching him for 4 yrs and not seeing at least IMO a ton of progression, most notably the ability to read defenses and his decision making. I have a hard time seeing him turning into a consistent starter. I could see him being a back up who you have set packages with, mostly around him running, doing option plays, maybe a little play action. Much like what the Bombers did with Strevler. But he's going to have to improve a ton to be an everyday starter who with the game on the line, late in the 4th, he's able to lead his team with a clock chewing, game winning TD.

I really expected him, after Ed stuck his neck out, giving him the contract he gave him and anointed him as the starter before camp, that he would take a big step. That he would have put in the work in the offseason to improve on the areas he needed to QB wise. It was not there this year, at least IMO. He just is way too much all or nothing and I don't know if he has the ability to get to where he needs to be QB wise that don't involve him being a great athlete.