We're just a little over a third of the way done the 2025 CFL season. Some teams are off to a great starts, but others... not as much. Of course, many fans like to overreact when their team loses a game, but how many of those responses are actually warranted? Let's take a look at the teams that in my opinion, should or should not be pressing the panic button so far.
BC LIONS: NO
While yes. the Lions are 3-5, they aren't losing most games by a ton. They only have 20 more points against than for, which isn't terrible for being two games back of .500. Nathan Rourke, while not quite having a 2022-calibre season, is still on pace for almost 4,000 passing yards. James Butler is leading the league in rushing yards at the moment and is second in rushing touchdowns with five. They're only two points back of Winnipeg in the standings, but they'll need to push a little harder if they want to reach the playoffs in a very competitive west division..
EDMONTON ELKS: YES
The Elks have already moved on from their starting quarterback at the start of the season, Tre Ford. Cody Fajardo has taken over the pivot position, and in his limited action so far this year, he's performed admirably in his role. Fajardo has thrown for 788 yards through 2 1/4 games this year, which is already almost as much as Tre Ford threw in 5 3/4 weeks of action. Both quarterbacks have combined for nine touchdowns, which is half of what the league leader Bo Levi Mitchell has thrown. Combine that with a defense that is allowing the most points per game (31.3), the most points total (219), the second most sacks allowed (21), the least sacks made (5) and allowed the most passing touchdowns (18), and you have a recipe for the panic button being pressed.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS: NO
Injuries have been piling up in Cowtown, with their star quarterback and many of their top receivers missing time this year. However, even without Reggie Begelton, the Stamps have managed to rack up five wins. Sure, they lost two in a row, but Vernon Adams looks set to return this week and players like Tevin Jones, Clark Barnes, Damien Alford and Tyson Philpot have all been participating in practice this week. Add to a potent offence a defense that has allowed the least points out of any group, and it seems like the Stampeders will be just fine.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS: NO
The Riders are the top team in the CFL right now. They're 7-1, have the best run defense in the league, the 2nd least points allowed, the 2nd leading rusher in the league, some of the best defensive linemen in the CFL and Trevor Harris, who is playing some of his best football right now. It really seems like the Riders are gunning for a Grey Cup appearance this year.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS: NO
While yes, the Bombers have won half of their winning games with their backup quarterback starting, are 3rd worst in the league in points allowed and have been dealing with injuries to Zach Collaros, the Bombers are above .500 and lay at 3rd in the west. Trey Vaval just had a huge breakout game, returning a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown. If the Bombers can figure out how to stop getting Zach Collaros injured and lock in a little more on defense, the Bombers will be just fine.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS: NO
The Ti-Cats are having one of their best seasons in years, and this year seems to be one of their best chances they've had in a while to win the Grey Cup. Bo Levi Mitchell is playing some of the best football of his career, leading the league in passing yards and touchdowns. Their defense is improved from last year, allowing the 4th least points and touchdowns. The one question I have about the Tabbies is their run game. They're currently second-worst in the league in total rushing yards.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS: NO
At the time of writing, the Argos are fresh off an exciting loss to Ottawa at BMO field. They've fallen to 2-7 on the season, and normally that would be cause for panic. However, Chad Kelly's return is getting closer and closer. Nick Arbuckle has performed well as the quarterback thus far, but when Kelly comes back, I have reason to believe he'll unlock a whole other dimension to the Argonaut offense.
OTTAWA REDBLACKS: YES
At the start of the season, many people thought that Ottawa was going to be much improved this year. Unfortunately, this hasn't ended up being the case. Even with Dru Brown behind centre, the RedBlacks find themselves two wins behind the Montreal Alouettes and only one win ahead of the 2-7 Argonauts. They have the least points scored by any team and are tied for the most 30+ yard plays allowed by anyone in the league. It's safe to say this season isn't shaping up the way they wanted it to.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES: NO
Yes, Davis Alexander hasn't been under centre in a while and the play from McLeod Bethel-Thompson hasn't been amazing. But when Alexander was there, the Als were looking like one of the best teams in the league. The only problem at the moment with the Alouettes is injury. They have two more weeks of games until their next bye week. At that point they can rest and recover, and who knows, maybe Alexander will be ready for a return after the bye.
These are the teams that I think should and should not be pressing the panic button, but what do you think? Let me know in the comments!
By Bruce Chimirri-Olson
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