Once again we are on the cusp of another football season, and with that comes the debate of how should the hierarchy look across the Canadian Football League. A lot of factors come in to play when deciding who’s better than who, Regardless of how the offseason went all nine team believes they have what it takes to become the 111th Grey Cup Champions, it becomes even more difficult when teams haven’t played a down of regular season football yet. For the sake of good debate i will be releasing a monthly power rankings article throughout the 2024 season.
1. Montreal Alouettes
Although it is a brand new season and nothing carries over from last season, having anybody other than the defending Grey Cup Champions Montreal Alouettes at #1 seems disrespectful. Montreal has keep in tack most of their core including Grey Cup MVP quarterback Cody Fajardo, Kaion Julien-Grant, Reggie Stubblefield, Marc-Antoine Dequoy, and last years grey cup hero Tyson Phillpot. The Alouettes did however lose WR Alex Mack and DL Lwal Uguak to the NFL, Running back Will Standback also left via free agency after five years in Montreal. The question for the Als entering the season will be is there any Grey Cup hangover or can they reach another level as a team. With Chad Kelly on the sideline for the first nine games for Toronto and a lot of unanswered questions in Ottawa and Hamilton, I think its fair to say its Montreal’s east division to lose.
2. BC Lions
The expectations in BC are sky high right now, not only are they hosting the 111th Grey Cup in November but they’ve also been on the verge of getting to the big game for the last two seasons. Vernon Adams Jr is at the helm for his second season as the Lions starting Quarterback, The teams passing attack will feature the likes of Jevon Cottoy, Justin McInnis, and Alex Hollins all three are coming off break out seasons. After career years for VA and his receivers in 2023 the feeling in the lions den is that they could have an even better year in 2024. The BC defense took a hit this offseason losing reigning Most Outstanding Defensive Player Mathieu Betts to the NFL but have gained Vancouver native and NFL veteran Christian Covington. The Lions should once again have a high powered offence and stingy defense, The question for BC wont be about talent but can the get past Winnipeg in the west and if not now then when.
3. Winnipeg Bluebombers
After hoisting the cup in 2019 and 2021, Winnipeg has lost the last two Grey Cups by a combined five points. The Bombers will once again be led by Allstar quarterback Zach Collaros, who hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down anytime soon. What separates Winnipeg from any one else offensively is the list of playmakers including running back Brady Oliveira, wide receivers Dalton Scheon, Kenny Lawler, and Nic Demski. CFL veterans Adam Bighill and Willie Jefferson continue to play at a high level, the question for that side of the ball will be how much of loss will Demario Houston and Jackson Jeffcoat be and who will step in to replace their production. There’s no question about how talented the bombers roster is but with 4 foundational pieces on the wrong side of 30 it seems like only a matter of time before father time catches up and the team needs to reload with a younger core group.
4. Toronto Argonauts
The question on everyone’s mind is how many games can quarterback Cam Dukes and Toronto win while he who shall not be named is serving his suspension. The Argonauts have the best offensive line in Canadian football, with the three all stars Darius Ciraco, Ryan Hunter, and Dejon Allen leading the the way on offence it should make things a little easier for the first year starter at quarterback during the first nine weeks. Even with the loses of Jamal Peters, Adarius Pickett, and Qwan tez Stiggers the Argos still have one of the leagues best defensive units especially after adding defensive lineman Jake Ceresna to a group that includes Folarin Orimolade, Shawn Oakman, and Robbie Smith. On paper the argonauts have a talented roster but what will the damage be after the nine games are up, if they can go 4-5 or 5-4 without #12 they’ll be right in the hunt to win the east division.
5. Edmonton Elks
Head coach and General Manager Chris Jones enters his 3rd season in charge of the Elks, after only eight wins combined in the last two years and the addition of a Grey Cup winning quarterback in Mcleod Bethal Thompson, there are no more excuses in Edmonton. The Elks offense will feature all star wide receiver Geno Lewis but with names like Kurleigh Gittens Jr, Kyran Moore and Kevin Brown entering their prime. Edmonton has a shot to be pretty good offensively but how much will their offensive line slow them down. Edmonton’s big problem over the last few years has been the lack of complimentary football, With an offense that should score points if the defense can do their part the Elks should be in good position to be much more competitive this season.
6. Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Corey Mace era has begun in Ridervillie, the 38 year old first time head coach will take over a team who has missed the playoffs in the last two years. Starting quarterback Trevor Harris showed he still had some gas left in the tank prior to his season ending knee injury last season but at his age you have to wonder how much longer he can take the pounding. The riders were very active in free agency bringing in players to help both sides of the ball, starting with all star offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick, running back AJ Ouellette, and linebacker Jameer Thurman. Saskatchewan has been winless after labor day over the last two years but if a defensive minded coach Mace can improve the defense and the offence does its job, the Riders will be a tough out in the west.
7. Ottawa Redblacks
Ottawa is an interesting team to forecast, not much success in recent years but could it be the start of a new era in the nations capitol this season. The Redblacks traded for their potential quarterback of the future when they acquired Dru Brown from the Winnipeg Bluebombers. Ottawa has legitimate questions regarding the offensive line but if they can get the ball down field to the likes of Dominic Rhymes, Justin Hardy, and Jaelon Acklin they could be on there way to a better season offensively. On defense bringing back the entire defensive line is positive after being in the top half of the league in total sacks last year but the addition of all star Adarius Pickett could be a game changer. All eyes will be on Ottawa’s offensive line and weather or not they’ll be the teams downfall.
8. Calgary Stampeders
The Calgary Stampeders had their worst season since 2007 and still somehow made the playoffs for the 18th straight season last year. It appears the book is out on starting quarterback Jake Maier, who hasn’t been impressive in his season and a half as a starter, although you can certainly argue whether or not its all on him or the surrounding pieces on offense that have let him down. After letting Ka’Deem Carey walk in free agency Dedrick Mills and Peyton Logan will be asked to carry the load but Losing wide receiver Malik Henry to another season ending injury it could make the stamps one dimensional offensively. With pieces like Mike Rose, Cam Judge, Micah Awe, and the addition of shut down corner Demario Houston the defense should be the teams strength this season.
9. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Not only did the Ticats come up short of making it to a Grey Cup played at home but their big offseason prize Bo Levi Mitchell failed to play in more than six games due to injury last year. A future hall of famer like Bo should never be counted out, however he hasn’t looked like himself in recent years and maybe this could be the end especially with the extension of younger quarterback Taylor Powell. Offensively outside of Tim White and James butler Hamilton has to wonder who can consistently be counted upon to produce. The heart and soul of the Ticats defense for the last decade Simoni Lawerence has retired, not to mention the loses of players like Ted Laurent, Dylan Wynn, Tunde Adeleke, Malik Carney, and Jameer Thurman, it’ll be a whole new front seven paired with a young secondary. Overall it seems like there are too many questions to be answered to have much confidence in the Ticats this season.