With the Saskatchewan Roughriders lifting the Grey Cup last weekend, the one thing all Edmonton Elks fans are thinking is “Man… I wish that was us.”
So what do they have to do to be in the game next year? What do they have to do to end the five-year playoff drought and the 10-year Grey Cup drought? It seems like the foundational pieces are there, and that was evidenced in how they played in the back half of the season, ut it has to be more than just having the pieces there.
You need others who can take you over the top. That’s only half the battle, as as once the pieces are in place, everyone has to play to their capability, the coaching has to be on par, and there has to be an element of going out there and wanting it more than their opponents. Maybe that seems obvious, and it goes without saying, but that’s what has to happen.
Now let’s take a look at some of the different areas of this team in specifics and see what needs to happen to be playing in the Grey Cup in 2026.
Offensive line
The offensive line is the No. 1 position group the Edmonton Elks need to overhaul, specifically the right side. Brett Boyko and Gregor MacKellar, we appreciate your service, but it’s over. Carter O’Donnell and David Beard are going to be two returning pieces, and I was high on Mark Korte, but Eddie Steele and Justin Sorensen were quick to tell me he may not be that guy.
Whether he is or not, it’s clear that the offensive line needs to be reshaped, and I don’t think it comes by way of camp battles and looking down the depth chart. We’re talking about the CFL Draft, and we’re talking once again about free agency. It was the weakest position group this season, allowing the second most sacks, and it contributed to one of the most dynamic players in the league in Justin Rankin’s subpar stat line.
It’s the number one thing holding this team back, and while they had moments where they showed out with some having great highs, the unit as a whole was their weakest. It doesn’t need to be tweaked — it needs to be renovated.
Quarterback
This is the biggest question for the Elks right now. Both head coach Mark Kilam and general manager Ed Hervey have said they want Cody Fajardo under centre. The veteran play-caller himself has expressed a desire to return, saying, “If I play football again, it will be for the Edmonton Elks.”
What does that sound like to you? Cody is a guy who values family, values his faith, and I truly do think would walk away if the price isn’t right. Acquired by the Elks last winter, he arrived in Edmonton on a backup’s salary, now feeling like he’s owed a starter’s salary after getting the lion’s share of work this season, and I agree.
Now, does the conversation between him and Ed go something like, “Pay me $400K or I retire?” Who’s to say, but he’ll want that deserved pay raise, and we’ll see how much Hervey is willing to pay without depleting the roster.
What it really boils down to is if Fajardo is the best option for this team to get back to the Grey Cup. When you look at the crop of possible quarterbacks, maybe the answer is no, but when you look at realistic options for the Elks, I think so. He turned this season around for the Elks, was the Grey Cup MVP two seasons ago. Two seasons can be a long time in terms of football, but when you look at those realistic options for the quarterback position, Cody is the best shot to lead the team as a Grey Cup-winning QB.
Receivers
The receiving core can easily be looked at as an issue for the Elks. Kurleigh Gittens Jr. was supposed to be the number one but live up to those expectations, while Steven Dunbar emerged early as a “number one guy.” He’s probably a second or third option on a Grey Cup-winning team, though. Kaion Julien-Grant had a career year due to his chemistry with Fajardo, but he was hindered greatly by some high-profile drop. Zach Mathis got hurt, and Arkell Smith was steady but unspectacular. OJ Hiliare and Binjimen Victor had solid seasons, and are both players that Eddie Steele and I think coil elevate up the depth chart next season.
Do they have the intrinsic talent to be number one receivers in this league? Maybe nott but based on what we saw last year, I think they have a chance to be leaned on heavily in the Elks’ pass game moving forward. At their best, they can perform in big moments and carry a much-needed weight of the passing game on their shoulders. I could be wrong, we’ll find out next season.
Is it as easy as saying if these two step up and separate themselves, the Elks have a Grey Cup-level receiving core? It will probably take more — maybe a big-time free agent signing — but these two can certainly play a big role.
Defensive line
The defensive line was another issue for the Elks last season, and the free agent list is vast. The combination of Robbie Smith, Brandon Barlow, Jared Brinkman, and Jake Ceresna — which cost the Elks nearly $1-million — didn’t really work out. They were hampered by injuries but even when they weren’t early in the season they did nothing.
The best combination on the line was Noah Taylor, Jordan Williams, Barlow and Brinkman. But what will it look like next year? What should it look like next year? What will win this team a Grey Cup?
With Brinkman under contract, re-signing Barlow, Williams, and Taylor should be priorities. But is it enough? Similar to the receiving core, there’s probably going to need to be an acquisition from somewhere else in the league, and the league rotates players a lot — the contracts aren’t long and free agency is fluid. The free agent acquisitions last year didn’t pan out, but it’s a new year and a new day. The reality is there is a formula for your defensive line as it stands. But there’s room for improvement, and it probably comes in the form of a free agency acquisition.
What’s next?
The foundational pieces are there, the Edmonton Elks feel like they’re close, and coaching, management, the front office and ownership are all heading in the right direction. There are needs for this team, and I have no doubt Hervey will do what he needs to do. The truth is this team needs to take a step forward.
Another season without playoffs won’t sit well with the fans. It’s the step even before this team can think about a Grey Cup appearance, let alone a win. Five years without the playoffs can’t turn to six, seven or eight, and 10 years without a Grey Cup win can’t turn to 15.
It’s time to put it all together, take the foundation and build it up. The Grey Cup every year should be the goal, but for a team that doesn’t feel that far away, it’s time to go now. It’s time to go. I have faith.
