With the preseason finally behind us, it's time to evaluate where each team stands ahead of the CFL's 2026 regular season.
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1. Saskatchewan Roughriders
The reigning champions take the top spot after their run to last season's Grey Cup title. While teams across the league retooled, Saskatchewan kept its core intact, with Trevor Harris, AJ Ouellette, and Jermarcus Hardrick providing continuity. Losing Malik Carney and Micah Johnson raises some defensive concerns, but head coach Corey Mace has led six top-three scoring defenses, including the 2025 Riders (22.7 points per game allowed).
The Alouettes were the last team to repeat in consecutive years (2009-10), but Saskatchewan has the makeup to do it. The Roughriders open against the Lions in a West Final rematch on June 13.
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2. BC Lions
Nathan Rourke is firmly established not only as the face of the Lions but of the league. The CFL's reigning Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian led all quarterbacks with 564 rushing yards and finished second with 5,290 passing yards and 31 touchdowns last year.
Head coach Buck Pierce will have to replace All-CFL offensive tackle Jarell Broxton, with Kory Woodruff first up to protect Rourke. After the Lions led the league with 31.1 points per game, adding pieces like Darnell Sankey and Casey Sayles could fuel a Grey Cup push.
3. Montreal Alouettes
Davis Alexander guided the Alouettes to a 9-1 record and a Grey Cup appearance as a starter last year despite a hamstring injury. If he's fully healthy, Montreal remains an East Division title contender. The Als' offense struggled in his absence, though, averaging 18.8 points per game compared to 33.2 with him under center.
Linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku takes over the middle of Montreal's defense after the club released Sankey. Nate Beauchemin and Jonathan Sutherland will also get the first crack at filling the void left in the secondary following Marc-Antoine Dequoy's retirement.
4. Calgary Stampeders
Despite plenty of new faces in the locker room, Calgary's fortunes hinge on its veteran core. Last season was one to forget for star receiver Reggie Begelton, as he missed all but two games with a knee injury. He's expected to enter the campaign healthy, which is good news for quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who earned a two-year extension after finishing fifth in the CFL with 4,247 passing yards.
The Stamps enjoyed a nice turnaround last year, jumping from five wins in 2024 to 11. With McMahon Stadium hosting the 113th Grey Cup on Nov. 15, the pressure is on general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson to make a significant leap in his 10th season at the helm.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Tiger-Cats are poised to contend this campaign, having narrowly come within reach of the East Division title in 2025. Entering his age-36 season, Bo Levi Mitchell continues to play at an MOP level. Kenny Lawler, fresh off a stellar campaign that secured him the league's richest receiver contract, will lead a revamped receiving corps bolstered by the free-agent signings of Keric Wheatfall and Kurleigh Gittens Jr.
Hamilton boasted one of the most opportunistic defenses last season, forcing a league-high 44 turnovers and converting them into 134 points. Wynton McManis will also don a Ticats jersey in 2026 after four seasons with the rival Argonauts. It remains unclear who will handle the majority of carries, with Johnny Augustine and Ante Milanovic-Litre next in line following Greg Ball's departure.
6. Edmonton Elks
After opening last season with a 1-6 record, the Elks must avoid another slow start to end their five-year playoff drought. With a firm identity following Mark Kilam's debut season as a head coach, Edmonton should get out of the gates quicker. Quarterback Cody Fajardo is also the unquestioned starter in 2026 after taking the reins from Tre Ford. Additionally, free-agent signing Austin Mack should be a reliable target in the passing game, and Justin Rankin could be the league's most versatile tailback after posting 1,726 scrimmage yards and 13 total touchdowns in 2025.
Carney also strengthens a woeful Edmonton pass rush that finished tied for seventh with 24 sacks last season. Coming off a career-high eight sacks, the veteran edge rusher could be a difference-maker who helps get coordinator J.C. Sherritt's defense over the hump.
7. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg remains confident its roster can still contend for a title after falling short of a sixth consecutive Grey Cup appearance last year. The Blue Bombers showed their faith by rewarding general manager Kyle Walters and head coach Mike O'Shea with extensions in the offseason. Meanwhile, two-time MOP Zach Collaros will play out the final year of his deal after a subpar campaign in which he threw double-digit interceptions for the fourth straight season.
The Bombers' core remains intact after extending a large portion of the roster, including Brady Oliveira, Nic Demski, and Willie Jefferson. This team has plenty of talent, but the veteran-heavy lineup could face Father Time in 2026.
8. Ottawa Redblacks
The Redblacks underwent extensive changes throughout the organization following a 4-14 season. Ottawa has tasked Ryan Dinwiddie to be the club's new general manager and head coach after he won two Grey Cups in five years while guiding the Argonauts.
Dinwiddie wasted little time revamping Ottawa's roster, landing quarterback Jake Maier in free agency and giving him the starting role. He'll join halfback Greg Bell in the backfield. The Redblacks can shake off last year's 2-7 record at TD Place Stadium with five home games before Week 10 to kick off their 2026 campaign.
9. Toronto Argonauts
The Argonauts find themselves navigating murky waters. Mike Miller takes over as head coach after Dinwiddie's departure to the nation's capital. If that wasn't enough, the Boatmen will be adrift until their home opener in Week 10 due to the World Cup, with the University of Guelph serving as their temporary home.
Despite losing key pieces, the Argos' biggest addition is Chad Kelly, who returns from a season-ending knee injury in 2024. The former MOP should be able to lift a team that averaged a league-low 51.6 rushing yards in 2025. Defensive lineman Andrew Chatfield could also benefit from Ralph Holley's presence inside.
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