The 2024 CFL season kicks off Thursday night with a Grey Cup rematch featuring the defending champion Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg to take on the Blue Bombers. With that in mind, here are some of the storylines to watch for from around the league heading into the new campaign.
Moving from East to West:
Montreal:
Will there be a sophomore jinx? Head Coach Jason Maas and Quarterback Cody Fajardo come into their second seasons in Montreal after a magical post-season run culminating in a Grey Cup championship. That win has brought new life to a franchise that is also in its second season with a new owner. It is different when you are the hunted as opposed to the one doing the hunting, meaning that every night the Als are going to get their opposition’s best. Time will tell if the Alouettes continue to grow in year two for the coach and quarterback.
Ottawa:
The Redblacks have had zero luck when it comes to keeping their Quarterbacks healthy the last couple of years. With newly acquired Dru Brown likely to lead the offence will he be able to provide consistency at the most critical position, OR, can he hold on long enough for Jerimiah Masoli to come back from his Achillies injury?
Toronto:
How much of a distraction will the Chad Kelly mess be? With the MOP caliber QB suspended for at least the first half of the season, the Argos Quarterback position is in flux. Additionally, no A.J. Ouellette to run the ball and alleviate the pressure on the pivot and the departure of Defensive Coordinator Corey Mace, a character coach, leaves questions, like who will emerge as the leaders of the Argos? There is no doubt the team has the talent to win but can they come together without their QB1.
Hamilton:
In Steel Town the story, like in Ottawa, will be the health of their starting Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell. Can new Head Coach Scott Milanovich return Mitchell to the Grey Cup winning Quarterback that he was in Calgary? OR is father time tapping on his locker door?
Winnipeg:
Top to bottom the Winnipeg Blue Bombers definitely have the talent, systems and structure to have a solid case to be back in a fifth straight championship game. That said, Father Time is undefeated! Adam Bighill starts the season on the 6-game Injured List. Defensive End Jackson Jeffcoat has retired. Zach Collaros is turning 36. Again, the talent and structure are there. Can the Blue Bombers dominate again?
Edmonton:
Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson is back in the CFL! Can the veteran not only lead the team to a playoff spot in 2024 but can he mentor Tre Ford to become a consistent CFL QB1? That may be the most intriguing question for General Manager and Head Coach Chris Jones who not only needs to navigate year three of his Edmonton rebuild but also the potential of an employer change with the likely move of the club from being community-owned to a private ownership model.
Calgary:
Can the Stamps get back to their winning ways? The seeming scapegoat in Calgary’s inconsistency last year was Quarterback Jake Maier. Is he totally to blame for a team that at times looked confused defensively and had a ton of injuries in the receiver room? I’m not so sure. It will be interesting to see if General Manager and Head Coach Dave Dickenson can carry on the Stampeder tradition of finding the next man up. The Stamps season could depend on it.
B.C.
One word on the West Coast, “expectations.” Hosting the Grey Cup in Vancouver is going to be huge for this franchise and the cherry on the top would be the home team being in the game. Can you say pressure? How will the Leos handle it? We will find out.
Saskatchewan:
Optimism reigns supreme in Riderville. As it should! New Head Coach Corey Mace has injected energy and accountability into his team, and it has been evident since day one of training camp! Trevor Harris is healthy and when you add in a free-agent class that includes; running back A.J. Ouellette, Offensive Lineman Jermarcus Hardrick, Defensive Lineman Malik Carney, Linebacker Jameer Thurman and Defensive Back Marcus Sayles improvement is going to happen. The question will be how many wins will the influx of talent produce?
