With rookie camps completed and training camps already underway, CFL football is officially back.
As teams start their preparation for the 2026 season beginning June 4 on TSN, every franchise has one big question heading into the new campaign that needs to be answered.
Since winning the Grey Cup in 2011, the BC Lions have failed to reach the big dance, going 0-5 in the West Final and 4-10 overall in the postseason.
That history reared its ugly head again in the 2025 playoffs, with the Lions giving up the lead to the eventual Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders with 11 seconds remaining in the West Final.
It feels like their time is coming, however, especially with Victoria, B.C. native Nathan Rourke slinging the rock.
What got BC so close to a Grey Cup appearance last season was their downright dominant offence. Last year’s group set records, with the team’s 8.04 yards per play the highest in CFL history. The team also averaged an outstanding 430.2 net yards per game, almost 50 more than the second-place Roughriders.
Heading into the 2026 season, however, the unit will see changes as tackle Jarell Broxton (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and receiver Ayden Eberhardt (Ottawa Redblacks) have moved on. The team also appears to be making a ratio change, as the Lions have been running with four American offensive linemen and three Canadian wide receivers throughout training camp.
Let’s start with what we know for sure: Rourke will be throwing the ball and James Butler will be running it.
Rourke had the best season by a Canadian quarterback ever in 2025, setting records for the most passing yards (5,290), completions (352), and 300-yard plus games (12) by a Canadian pivot in a single season, claiming the Most Outstanding Player and Canadian awards in the process.
Butler bounced back in 2025 after missing games in 2024 with an injury. The 31-year-old running back averaged career highs in rushing yards (1,213), touchdowns (11),
and yards per carry (5.3) and was a big part of the offence’s success.
Now to receiver, where All-CFL receiver Keon Hatcher Sr., fellow American Stanley Berryhill, and Canadians Justin McInnis and Jevon Cottoy slot in their regular spots, but it has been third-year Regina, Saskatchewan native Kieran Poissant running with the starters.
The 25-year-old has only played 214 offensive snaps total over the past two seasons, making 13 catches for 113 yards.
This change coincides with the moves up front, as with Broxton moving on, the team has seemingly opted to go with four Americans.
Kory Woodruff, who was primarily a guard in 2025, has kicked out to Broxton’s vacated left tackle spot, while Americans Brandon Yates, Chris Schleuger, and Dejon Allen will surround Canadian centre Michael Couture.
Woodruff did see a couple of starts at tackle last season, and his 2.7 pressure rate allowed was the second best among all interior linemen in 2025, but he’ll have massive shoes to fill as Broxton is regarded as one of, if not the best pass protector north of the border.
The offensive line improved in 2025, as the team allowed the fewest sacks (20) after allowing the most as a unit in 2024 (43). Losing Broxton, however, could signal regression from the group.
Overall, it was a lethal, explosive group in 2025, and it’s hard to see BC falling far from what was. With multiple receivers waiting in the wings, including seventh-overall pick Nate DeMontagnac, the Lions should be more than able to fill the Eberhardt void.
The biggest question comes up front, and if this alignment will produce closer to last year’s group, or to 2024’s less-than-ideal unit.
