2025-2026 Offseason thread

[Looner]

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.

I agree, had high hopes for him and still wish him the best as he is really fun to watch but he's no longer part of the EE so its time to see what we have in his place and throw my support behind him.

[Sectionq]

I agree, had high hopes for him and still wish him the best as he is really fun to watch but he's no longer part of the EE so its time to see what we have in his place and throw my support behind him.

This seems like an obvious statement but I fully expect Powell to be no where near as exciting of a QB which IMO isn't a bad thing. I am just looking for more consistent QB play from all that play for the Elks. As fun and exciting it was at times to watch Ford, his all or nothing style just isn't something you can build long term success around. He would do a few unreal plays with his legs or escape ability that make people come out of their seats and they score a TD because of it. Then for 2.5 quarters do nothing but 2 and outs, not moving the ball what so ever and the defense eventually would collapse because they were on the field all the time. The Elks would be way behind. Then in garbage time, Ford would get some yards and points to make it look artificially close and give some in the fan base false hope that he was more than he was.

[ben_the_eskimo]

This seems like an obvious statement but I fully expect Powell to be no where near as exciting of a QB which IMO isn't a bad thing. I am just looking for more consistent QB play from all that play for the Elks. As fun and exciting it was at times to watch Ford, his all or nothing style just isn't something you can build long term success around. He would do a few unreal plays with his legs or escape ability that make people come out of their seats and they score a TD because of it. Then for 2.5 quarters do nothing but 2 and outs, not moving the ball what so ever and the defense eventually would collapse because they were on the field all the time. The Elks would be way behind. Then in garbage time, Ford would get some yards and points to make it look artificially close and give some in the fan base false hope that he was more than he was.

I fully expect Powell to be proficient, but I want to see him in game action and see how far along he is in his development. Is he ready to take over this year if need be? Or is he a couple of years out yet, I don’t know at this point. There’s a lot I want to know about him that we just won’t know until we’ve seen him play a bunch of

[SKIP12]

Interested to see how the OL looks as we move forward…

I would assume it would be:

Ivey-Beard-Korte-Woodmansey-O’Donnell

But with FA signing of Murray and Bordner from Hamilton that have CFL experience and pedigree and still having Boyko sill on roster who started many games for the EE…..

Not sure how we fit them all on the opening day roster.

My 3 Cents….

[BeaverSports]

Interested to see how the OL looks as we move forward…

I would assume it would be:

Ivey-Beard-Korte-Woodmansey-O’Donnell

But with FA signing of Murray and Bordner from Hamilton that have CFL experience and pedigree and still having Boyko sill on roster who started many games for the EE…..

Not sure how we fit them all on the opening day roster.

My 3 Cents….

I fully expect Ivey and Boyko won’t be there, and Bordner and Murray will battle for the LT spot as in Hamilton.

Did they finish last year with Korte at centre and Beard at guard? That may be better for Korte.

Look for Hervey to use some early draft capital for depth in the OL position group.

[Sectionq]

I fully expect Ivey and Boyko won’t be there, and Bordner and Murray will battle for the LT spot as in Hamilton.

Did they finish last year with Korte at centre and Beard at guard? That may be better for Korte.

Look for Hervey to use some early draft capital for depth in the OL position group.

Hearing Morris the other day on 1440, I know the team is extremely high on O'Donnell and feel like he can play anywhere. So I expect O'Donnell to play one of the tackle spots. I don't think the Oline had a great season but I feel like the tackles were really poor last year.

So I expect the interior will be some combination of Beard, Korte, Woodmansey. I don't think Korte was great last year either but he was pretty decent the previous seasons. He's an Edmonton area kid, played under Morris at the U of A. So he will be there.

Then it comes down to the other tackle position and I am not convinced Ivey will be there. He was not good last night. Decent the previous year but mixed results the other seasons. So not sure who the other tackle is.

Can Boyko bounce back? Not sure but being Canadian helps his case as teams LOVE to have as many Canadians on the Oline to help eat up ratio spots. If you are going to have an American on the Oline, he has to be a good player.

[dealerd]

Interested to see how the OL looks as we move forward…

I would assume it would be:

Ivey-Beard-Korte-Woodmansey-O’Donnell

But with FA signing of Murray and Bordner from Hamilton that have CFL experience and pedigree and still having Boyko sill on roster who started many games for the EE…..

Not sure how we fit them all on the opening day roster.

My 3 Cents….

https://x.com/goelks/status/2022355092842725606?s=46 we just released Ivey , must be cap related

[Sectionq]

https://x.com/goelks/status/2022355092842725606?s=46 we just released Ivey , must be cap related

I swear, I didn't see he was released when I wrote my post. Clearly I can see into the future!

[Hammer24]

https://x.com/goelks/status/2022355092842725606?s=46 we just released Ivey , must be cap related

Cap or numbers. If they're thinking O'Donnell at T and having signed Murray and Bordner the depth chart is a bit crowded.

[ben_the_eskimo]

Hearing Morris the other day on 1440, I know the team is extremely high on O'Donnell and feel like he can play anywhere. So I expect O'Donnell to play one of the tackle spots. I don't think the Oline had a great season but I feel like the tackles were really poor last year.

So I expect the interior will be some combination of Beard, Korte, Woodmansey. I don't think Korte was great last year either but he was pretty decent the previous seasons. He's an Edmonton area kid, played under Morris at the U of A. So he will be there.

Then it comes down to the other tackle position and I am not convinced Ivey will be there. He was not good last night. Decent the previous year but mixed results the other seasons. So not sure who the other tackle is.

Can Boyko bounce back? Not sure but being Canadian helps his case as teams LOVE to have as many Canadians on the Oline to help eat up ratio spots. If you are going to have an American on the Oline, he has to be a good player.

Ivey was the highest graded Offensive lineman in the league in 2024 apparently. Interesting that he struggled so badly in 2025 with the same OL coach and a lot of the same players.

[EsksTMac]

I swear, I didn't see he was released when I wrote my post. Clearly I can see into the future!

I’m not sure why but Ivey was absolutely brutal last year.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Beard or Korte is released eventually.

I’m very curious about the starting OL and starting WR’s.

[ben_the_eskimo]

I don’t see a world where Beard and Korte are not here this year but Korte does need to have a bit of a bounce back season.

[BeaverSports]

I’m not sure why but Ivey was absolutely brutal last year.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Beard or Korte is released eventually.

I’m very curious about the starting OL and starting WR’s.

I would be surprised to see one of those two go, but they’re both better centres than guards. That helped prompt them moving Beard to Hamilton in the first place.

[bombervu]

I’m not sure why but Ivey was absolutely brutal last year.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Beard or Korte is released eventually.

I’m very curious about the starting OL and starting WR’s.

In fairness to both Ivey and Boyko there were a lot of changes from 2024. Some to do with the QB's, some to do with the co-ordinator.

I think both will get signed and play well for the new team. Toronto and Calgary could use help imo.

[adb]

I don’t see a world where Beard and Korte are not here this year but Korte does need to have a bit of a bounce back season.

I’ve heard a few analysts mention over the years that Korte should be playing centre as he is a bit undersized which is not case with Beard.