Nathan Rourke became the first Canadian quarterback to win the CFL’s most outstanding player award since Russ Jackson in 1969 thanks to his exceptional play last season.
Now, the B.C. Lions pivot wants to match another feat accomplished by Jackson that same year by becoming the first Canuck starting QB since the Ottawa Rough Riders legend to capture the Grey Cup.
The 28-year-old Rourke was back to top form last year after an up-and-down return to the CFL midway through 2024 in the aftermath of a few cups of coffee in the NFL.
With former quarterback Buck Pierce at head coach for his first season, Rourke had a man who knows what it’s like to be in his shoes running the operation.
After falling just short against the eventual Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West final last year, the Lions will look to take another step in 2026.
Finishing first in the West would give the team a big boost. The home team has won the West final the past five seasons.
But it won’t be easy for Rourke. All five teams in the West have returning head coaches and starting quarterbacks after all but the Edmonton Elks, who are expected to improve, finished over .500 and made the playoffs last season.
After the Hamilton Tiger-Cats host the Montreal Alouettes in the CFL season opener Thursday, play in the West gets going Friday when the Calgary Stampeders entertain the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Here’s a look at the West this year, with teams listed in order of predicted finish:
Last season: 11-7, second in West, lost to Saskatchewan in division final.
Head coach: Buck Pierce (11-7 in one season in CFL, with B.C.).
A last-minute touchdown by the Roughriders prevented the Lions from going to the Grey Cup last season in their first year under Pierce, previously the offensive co-ordinator for Winnipeg.
The Lions have some of the top offensive weapons in the league with Rourke leading the charge at quarterback. He’s joined by star running back James Butler and top-five receivers Keon Hatcher Sr. and Justin McInnis.
The Lions must improve defensively if they want to win their first Grey Cup in 15 years. Only the league-worst Ottawa Redblacks and second-worst Toronto Argonauts allowed more points than B.C. last year
To that end, the Lions added two-time CFL East all-star defensive lineman Casey Sayles from Hamilton to join Canadian sack specialist Mathieu Betts up front.
The Lions also are bringing in veteran linebacker Darnell Sankey after two straight division all-star seasons in Montreal.
One burning question: How will the Lions handle a long stretch away from home?
With the World Cup at BC Place, the Lions won’t play a home game at their usual stadium until Week 8. They will play two home games in Kelowna, B.C. along with three road contests before returning to Vancouver.
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last season: 12-6, first in West, beat Montreal in Grey Cup.
Head coach: Corey Mace (21-14-1 in two seasons in CFL, both with Saskatchewan. Won Grey Cup last year).
The pulse on the Roughriders
Quarterback Trevor Harris, who turned 40 last week, appears to be getting better with age. The Grey Cup MVP returns to lead the team after winning his first championship as a starter last year.
Running back AJ Ouellette was second in the league in rushing last season and Harris has good targets in Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker.
The bigger questions could come on defence with the Roughriders losing several players from their defensive line, including Malik Carney and Shane Ray. Key linebacker AJ Allen also left for Ottawa, but the Roughriders got a good player at the same position back in Josh Woods from B.C.
Mace, a defensive coach, has proven he’s more than capable of guiding his units to excellent results.
The burning question: Can Harris be the next Henry Burris or Damon Allen?
Burris and Allen both won Grey Cups as starting quarterbacks at age 41. Harris will try to join them as a 40-something champion.
Last season: 7-11, fifth in West, missed playoffs.
Head coach: Mark Kilam (7-11 in one season in CFL, with Edmonton).
After going to veteran Cody Fajardo at quarterback in place of Canadian Tre Ford (now with Hamilton), the Elks won six of their last 11 games under a rookie head coach in Kilam.
After missing the playoffs the past five seasons, the Elks have reason to believe they can get back in this season. Their Canadian talent has improved and they have better weapons for Fajardo after signing receivers Austin Mack (Montreal) and Brendan O’Leary-Orange (Hamilton) to join Kaion Julien-Grant.
At running back, Justin Rankin probably is the best dual-threat in the league.
On defence, the Elks added Carney from Saskatchewan after he had eight sacks last season. Tyrell Ford is one of the top cornerbacks in the league and the Elks also are strong on special teams with Javon Leake at returner and Jake Julien at punter.
The burning question: Can the Elks avoid another slow start?
The past three years, the Elks have started 0-9 (2023), 0-7 (2024) and 1-6 (2025). You can’t win a Grey Cup in the first half of the season, but you definitely can lose one.
Last season: 11-7, third in West, lost to B.C. in division semifinal.
Head coach: Dave Dickenson (95-60-3 in nine CFL seasons, all with Calgary. Won 2018 Grey Cup).
The pulse on the Stampeders
The acquisition of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. from B.C. before last season was a key factor in turning around a program that went 11-24-1 the previous two seasons. The Stamps signed Adams to a contract extension this off-season, giving them stability at the most important position on the field in a year in which they host the Grey Cup.
League-leading running back Dedrick Mills returns and is joined by RB/dangerous return man Tyreik McAllister, who is back in the CFL after bouncing around the NFL for two seasons.
At receiver, the Stamps lost 2025 CFL Draft first-overall pick Damian Alford to the New Orleans Saints, but still have a very solid crew with returnees Reggie Begelton and Jalen Philpot, along with Dejon Brissett (Toronto).
The Stamps got great news Sunday when top defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings signed a three-year contract after being released by the Minnesota Vikings. He forms a powerful duo up front with Folarin Orimolade, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last season.
At linebacker, the Stamps lost Jacob Roberts to the Vikings.
The burning question: Can the Stampeders stay healthy?
Calgary lost more man games to injury than any team in the CFL, including many to key players. That certainly could have been a big factor in why the team struggled to find consistency after a 5-1 start last season.
Last season: 10-8, fourth in West, lost to Montreal in East semifinal as crossover team.
Head coach: Mike O’Shea (117-77 in 11 CFL seasons, all with Winnipeg. Won Grey Cups in 2019 and 2021).
The pulse on the Blue Bombers
The Blue Bombers’ run of Grey Cup game berths ended at five as the team fell two wins short of playing in the championship game on their home field.
It was a down year for two-time MOP Zach Collaros. With the quarterback turning 38 this year, it will be interesting to see if he can recapture his MOP form. The Blue Bombers hope they have their quarterback of the future in strong-armed Canadian Taylor Elgersma, who has arrived in the CFL after being unable to lock down a spot in the NFL.
Winnipeg-born star running back Brady Oliveira returns, along with veteran receivers Nic Demski and Ontaria Wilson. Tim White (Hamilton) and Tommy Nield (Saskatchewan) join the receiving corps.
Defensive lineman Jake Ceresna comes over from Edmonton to join veteran Willie Jefferson up front.
Linebacker Tony Jones was second in the league in tackles last season and defensive back Evan Holm was the team’s top defensive player last season.
Returner Trey Vaval is a force on special teams.
Burning question: Can the Bombers extend their contending window?
The Blue Bombers failed to win a playoff game for the first time since 2017 last year after making the post-season for the ninth year in a row. Was it simply a one-year blip?