Well, the moment has finally arrived. A moment every Edmonton Elks fan has been expecting since the end of last season, and really expecting since Cody Fajardo’s signing on December 9th.
Tre Ford has been released by the Edmonton Elks.
He was due a roster bonus on February 1st so for a while it had been a question of “when” and not of “if”.
While expected, it was likely the right move for the team.
And I want to be very clear — I’m not saying that because I don’t believe Ford can play in this league. I absolutely do – more than most do probably, actually. But the reality is keeping him on this team even with a massively restructured contract just didn’t make financial sense for the club. He was able to make maximums of $425,000 this coming season and $446,000 in 2027. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to keep that on the books when you were benched five games into last season, and the guy who took over the starting job (who the head coach said he wanted under centre for 2026 by the way) signed for $395,000 in hard money this offseason.
It’s just the reality of the game. And as Omar Little said: “The game is cold, yo.” Now again that’s not to act like this is a sob story for Tre – He’s 10-13 across 23 games started in four seasons, with a 29-19 TD to interception ratio, 4,651 yards through the air, a 67.2 per cent completion percentage, 97.7 passer rating, and has 1,129 rushing yards and one touchdown on 124 attempts. Not terrible. The problem for Tre this past season was the eye test. In his penultimate game, he actually had a perfect passer rating, but his last game as an Elk was a really tough watch. The 4-12 for 34 yards with an interception stat line will tell you that, but he consistently had no touch on his throws. He missed what should have been some really easy throws, he always seemed to be ahead or behind his receivers. There appeared to be a lack of composure in the the pocket, he couldn’t really go through progressions, and bluntly, it was an ugly watch.
But like I said off the top. I do believe Tre can still play in this league. As a starter? Maybe. As a backup? Yes. Tre has shown moments of brilliance. And while they’ve been few and far between, and have been mixed with some pretty significant bad moments, they’ve still been there. He’s still only 27, and it is fair to throw out the “he hasn’t had a fair shot” argument (because he definitely did last year), but the raw talent certainly still exists with him. More than enough to play in this league. It’s going to take a reduced role, and it’s going to take some obvious self-sacrifice, but I really believe it can be done.
So I guess that brings up another question. Why not try and move him? Now sure maybe the Elks were, but at the winter meetings, Elks GM Ed Hervey said he hadn’t reached out to anyone in regard to moving Ford and he also hadn’t heard from any other general managers. So I reiterate, why not? B.C. was a team that had been brought up frequently due to the fact that they have a Canadian in Nathan Rourke at QB and Tre coming in wouldn’t hurt their ratio. Montreal is a team that I could see a schematic fit, plus Jason Maas would have been a great coach for him. Even Ottawa seems like it would have made sense. Maybe the reality is a cold one – no one wanted Tre. Or at least no one wanted to give up any assets for him. It’s harsh but when you look at the results and when you look at the situation, it certainly seems like it’s the easy answer. I still stand firm on the mindset that you take a shot on talent. But then of course, we have another easy answer. Why trade for him, knowing the Elks will release him, and you can sign him as a free agent? Everyone knew. Why give up assets? Risk of interest from other markets and Tre signing with them instead of you sure, but you have to ask is the demand that high? Which really just brings us full circle. Maybe not.
I also want to say this about Tre. In this past season covering the team and having a chance to talk to Tre after games and the like he had an unbelievable head on his shoulders. Always took accountability, never blamed anything on others even if we felt he was in his rights to, always took everything on the chin, and carried himself with the utmost professionalism. He had a real mind for the game, and it was evidenced when you talked to him.
I truly wish Tre the best moving forward. I believe he can play in this league and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds for him.
Wishing you all the best in your next endeavour Tre.
