The Saskatchewan Roughriders are entering 2026 exactly where the SportsCage contributors believe they belong at the top of the Canadian Football League.
After collecting all but two first-place votes in the opening SportsCage.com CFL Power Rankings, the Green and White begin the season in the number one spot ahead of Montreal and B.C.
Saskatchewan’s off-season additions helped solidify that position. The Riders added former Montreal returner James Letcher Jr., defensive lineman James Vaughters, defensive lineman Devin Adams and linebacker Josh Woods while largely maintaining the core of a team that established itself as a contender in 2025.
The only blemishes in the voting came from one second-place vote and one surprising fourth-place vote, but the consensus among contributors was clear: Saskatchewan is the team to beat heading into the new season.
1. Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Riders checked several important boxes during the off-season. Their defensive front remains intimidating after the additions of Vaughters and Adams, while Josh Woods adds another proven playmaker at linebacker. James Letcher Jr. gives Saskatchewan another dangerous option in the return game after the departure of Mario Alford. Continuity, depth and physicality have the Riders sitting atop the rankings.
2. Montreal Alouettes
Montreal remains one of the CFL’s most complete teams despite losing several key contributors in free agency. The Alouettes replaced some of that production with return specialist DeVonte Dedmon, receiver Jerreth Sterns and quarterback Dustin Crum. Even with Darnell Sankey and James Letcher Jr. departing, Montreal still carries championship expectations into 2026.
3. B.C. Lions
The Lions were aggressive in improving their defence. Darnell Sankey headlines the additions alongside Casey Sayles and Dionté Ruffin, while Gevani McCoy adds quarterback depth and intrigue. B.C. enters the season with one of the league’s highest ceilings if the new-look roster can come together quickly.
4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton may have made the splashiest move of the off-season by acquiring quarterback Tre Ford from Edmonton. Pairing Ford’s athleticism with an improving roster has generated plenty of optimism in Steeltown. Adding veteran linebacker Wynton McManis only strengthens a defence that already showed flashes last season.
5. Calgary Stampeders
The Stampeders remain difficult to project. Calgary added receiver Dejon Brissett and defensive back Devodric Bynum, but also lost veteran receiver Dominique Rhymes. As always, the Stamps are expected to stay competitive, but there are still questions about whether they can return to true contender status.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Counting out Winnipeg has rarely been a good idea over the last several years. The Blue Bombers strengthened their defensive line with Jake Ceresna and added proven receivers Tim White and Tommy Nield. Still, there is a sense that the rest of the West Division may finally be catching up to one of the CFL’s longtime powerhouses.
7. Toronto Argonauts
The defending Grey Cup pedigree still carries weight, but the Argonauts lost several notable contributors during the off-season. Wynton McManis departing for Hamilton leaves a major hole defensively, while Dejon Brissett’s exit hurts the receiving corps. Brendan O’Leary-Orange headlines Toronto’s additions as they look to reload once again.
8. Edmonton Elks
Edmonton made some significant additions, including Austin Mack and Malik Carney, but losing Tre Ford and Jake Ceresna creates major uncertainty. The Elks appear improved in some areas, but questions at quarterback and along the defensive front keep them near the bottom of the rankings entering the season.
9. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Ottawa rounds out the opening rankings despite adding several recognizable names, including Dominique Rhymes, Greg Bell and William Stanback. The REDBLACKS should be more competitive offensively, but the departures of Dustin Crum and veteran offensive lineman Peter Godber leave lingering concerns about overall depth and consistency.
With the season just about to kick off these rankings are certain to shift quickly. But entering 2026, the road to the Grey Cup appears to run through Saskatchewan.
