It’s been a busy start to the off-season for Edmonton Elks GM Ed Hervey.
Four key defensive extensions, including last season’s defensive player of the year nominee in Kordell Jackson, who can play defensive halfback, safety, and the strong-side linebacker role, where he himself has said he feels most comfortable. Hervey’s also extended three defensive linemen, which in theory may sound strange due to the defensive line’s struggles last year, but it includes one player who joined the team midway through the season, second who only played 10 games due to injury, and a third who didn’t play at all last season due to injury.
So what do these extensions mean for next season? Let’s take a look.
Kordell Jackson
A no-brainer, anyone could’ve got it done, slam-dunk extension. Jackson, as mentioned above, was the Edmonton Elks’ DPOY nominee last year, starting all 18 games this year, doing so at three positions. What I like most about this extension, besides everything, is that you kind of just signed three players. I know football doesn’t work like that because you can’t play nine on twelve, but it really does feel like that with Jackson. Not only can he start at three positions – he excels at them all. If you have to start him at SAM you’re going to get a DPOY team nominee who feels he’s playing his best position. If you play him at half, you’re going to get someone who is going to lay the boom every time there’s a zone defence and the ball gets to the flats. If you play him at safety, you get an aggressive tackler who can make the play if it gets to the second level, and someone who can play the pass (that can be said for any of the positions actually), evidenced by his 11 pass breakups last year. He’ll be with the team through 2027.
Robbie Smith
Robbie Smith was the CFL’s highest paid defensive player last season at $270,000. Robbie Smith is set to make $271,000 in 2026. So it would make sense that the highest paid defensive player in the league coming off a season where he had 10 games and 16 tackles with no sacks would take a discount to extend right? Especially when the production isn’t there, right? Well kind of. He’s now set to make $235,000 in hard money for 2026 and $240,000 in hard money for 2027. So yes – that’s a discount. But are we sure that’s the extension we want for Robbie coming off this past season?
He was injured — I get it — but with bonuses he could make $502,000 over the next two seasons with the Edmonton Elks. Eddie told us this on Elks101 that there was a season he had 18 tackles and one sack and was making $160,000. He got cut. Robbie had 16 tackles and no sacks. $240,000 in hard money for 2027. Eddie played a full season.
Robbie has tons of talent, and this article probably makes me seem more down on him than I actually am. I think he’s an incredibly skilled player. But he also has never had a season with more than six sacks as an edge rusher. It’s tons of belief from Ed, and the staff, but time will tell if it’s worth it.
Jordan Williams
Williams signed to the team September 4th and played in the game two days later against the Calgary Stampeders. It’s pretty indicative of the kind of player he is. Granted, defensive line it’s a pretty plug and play position, and he had already been with Toronto as recent as eight days before that, but it’s still a lot of trust in the player. He’s a guy who’s noticeable and does his job well. His season was highlighted by a 77 yard touchdown on a fumble recovery, and in a season when Jake Ceresna dealt with injury he got a chance to show out at that defensive tackle position. I like his game a lot. He’s a really solid piece who was set to be a free agent, and I’m glad the Edmonton Elks kept him around through 2026.
Noah Curtis
Curtis was set to be a key piece of the Elks’ front four before suffering an injury in training camp that kept him out of the entire 2025 season. He was second in sacks on the team in 2024, albeit a quieter number with six. What he does possess is a unique ability to play as an edge rusher and as an interior defensive lineman — two positions that aren’t as interchangeable as most people they might think. Responsibilities may only differ slightly between the roles, but it’s tough to find someone who can do them both well, and Curtis can. Coming off a season long injury will naturally raise some questions but if he can play to his capabilities this will be another savvy signing from Hervey.
Overall…
Hervey has seemed to put a lot of priority on player talent over box score numbers with these three defensive line signings. Overall, I see some boom or bust potential. Smith is a heavy price tag, and needs to perform at the level indicative of that. Curtis is coming off a season long injury, even though serious injuries aren’t what they were many years ago. Williams doesn’t have a lot of tape, but I’m on board. The defensive line will see some pretty intense camp battles. I’m happy all three of these are part of it.
