If you want to understand how the Edmonton Elks season has gone so far, search no further than Elks kicker Vincent Blanchard. He is a player who perfectly sums up how the season has gone through the way he has played. Being considered by many as one of the many MVPS, Vincent Blanchard has been nothing short of fantastic. With struggles in 2025, Blanchard has stepped up in a way that has won this team multiple games. Without his clutch kicks in high-pressure moments, it is unlikely that this team is sitting at 8-3 and at the top of the West Division.
Blanchard’s Shift
In recent Seasons, Elks fans have gotten used to bracing for whenever the kicking unit has come on to the field. Blanchard has completely changed that narrative so far this year. When he walked out to have a chance to kick a game-winner against Winnipeg, there was full confidence that he would drill the kick. That has not always been the story.
In 2025, Blanchard went 35-for-45 at a poor 77.8 per cent. His long was 52, but on extra points he went 39-for-40 for 97.5 per cent. 77 per cent was not a great number for the Elks, especially with them trying to get a playoff spot down the stretch in that 2025 season.
So far in 2026, Blanchard is 32-for-34 at an unbelievable 94.1 per cent. While his extra point percentage is a little down at 24-for-26, 92.3 per cent, Blanchard’s sample size speaks largely about what the Elks have asked him to do. Edmonton’s red-zone percentage is 23-for-42 at 54.8 per cent, which puts them near the bottom of the league. The offence has relied on Blanchard to finish drives with points.
The Highlights
Blanchard’s turnaround has been most noted for some game-winning kicks in huge moments.
Week 8: In probably the most entertaining game in recent Elks history, the Elks drove down the field late to give Blanchard a 57-yard field goal attempt as time was ticking down. He absolutely drilled it, securing a huge 36-34 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Vincent finished the night three for three on field goals and three for three on extra points, proving both the team and himself in the clutch. Most Elks fans would definitely consider this one of the top moments of the 2026 season so far.
Week 12: This was a low-scoring defensive game where the offence struggled to finish in the Red Zone. Blanchard was needed once again in the clutch. With seconds ticking down, he lined up for a 40 yard field goal attempt in front of an excited home crowd and cut it tight on the left upright. It just squeezed through, and the fans went wild. Another cool moment for Elks fans at home with the game-winner. Blanchard’s three-for-three field-goal night and extra point locked in another big victory right before a big bye week. Once again strengthening his case as the best kicker in the CFL.
Elks’ past kicking struggles
For years, the Elks have struggled with finding the right guy for the kicker position. General manager Ed Hervey attempted to address the issue coming into the 2026 season by taking kicker Jesus Gomez from Arizona State with the third overall pick in the CFL Global Draft. However, due to Blanchard’s dominant play, Gomez was placed on the retired list without getting the opportunity to play.
If Blanchard is able to continue at his current pace, he will have the single best kicking season percentage for the franchise in the past 10 years. In recent history, Elks kicker Sean Whyte put together five seasons above the 85 per cent mark and three above 90 per cent kicking field goals. Since the Elks have moved on from Whyte, there has been no Edmonton kicker that has reached the 85 per cent mark; Sergio Castillo came closest at 84 per cent (37-for-43), while kickers Boris Bede and Dean Faithfull were not able to have a season above 80 per cent. Blanchard so far has put that drought away.
How does Vincent Blanchard compare to other CFL placekickers?
With Blanchard’s elite season so far, there have been some other notable kickers who have been kicking at high efficiency.
- Jose Maltos Diaz (Montreal Alouettes): Sitting at 24-for-25 on field goals (96 per cent) and 43 of 46 on extra points. The number of field goal attempts Diaz has is way down because of Montreal’s high-powered machine of an offence.
- Brett Lauther (Ottawa Redblacks): Brett has converted 25 of 26 field goals (96.2 per cent) and 13 of 14 extra points. which might be one of the only things going right in its 0-11 season for Ottawa.
Other than Sergio Castillo out of Winnipeg, there is no other kicker with as many kicks as Blanchard. That speaks volumes about the workload and pressure that has been put on Vincent. The stats put him as one of the top place kickers in the league.
Conclusion
Vincent Blanchard has proved to be one of the most important players for Edmonton this season. For a placekicker to earn a top-two ranking on Declan Kreuger’s top 25 Elks players list, it highlights the value of his clutchness. Kicking remains one of the most mentally challenging positions in football. Fans often take made kicks for granted while heavily scrutinizing misses. Blanchard has answered the call in 2026, turning a former position of concern into a huge advantage heading down the stretch.
