A Season of Transition: Change in the Air as the CFL Crowns its 112th gray Cup Champion
Winnipeg is abuzz this week as the Canadian Football League prepares to award the 112th Grey cup on Sunday evening. However, this year’s championship game signifies more than just the culmination of a football season; it represents a period of significant change, both on and off the field, for the CFL.
The upcoming clash between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Montreal Alouettes marks the first Grey Cup since 2018 without the presence of the winnipeg Blue Bombers. This ends an impressive run of five consecutive Grey Cup appearances for the Bombers, halted by a loss in the Eastern Division Semi-final in Montreal.
The Bombers’ ascent over the past decade has been remarkable. Since hosting the Grey Cup in 2015, the franchise has transformed from a team seeking stability into arguably the league’s most prosperous. Their recent 10-8 season extended a streak of nine consecutive campaigns with double-digit regular-season wins, and notably, they achieved a complete sell-out of all nine home games, averaging over 33,000 attendees per contest. This is a significant accomplishment in a league where consistent attendance remains a challenge, and player turnover is a constant reality.
Despite this success, the Bombers’ failure to reach a hometown grey Cup has sparked a sense of disappointment. Many envisioned this as a crowning moment for one of the greatest eras in franchise history. Now,questions loom regarding the team’s future. Veteran quarterback Zach Collaros, at 37 years old, lacks a clear successor on the roster, and head coach Mike O’Shea is navigating an expiring contract. this confluence of factors suggests the Bombers’ current championship window may be closing.
O’Shea’s situation is especially intriguing. While contract expirations are not uncommon for the long-time Bombers coach, the Toronto Argonauts have expressed strong interest in securing his services as their new head coach, and have already begun discussions with him. Should O’Shea depart, Winnipeg could face significant organizational changes.
On the field, the emergence of Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander embodies the league’s changing landscape. Taking over as the starter this season, the young and dynamic Alexander has quickly become a catalyst for Montreal’s success, despite missing a significant portion of the season with a hamstring injury. Boasting an impressive 13-0 record as a starter, Alexander has the possibility to lead the Alouettes to their second Grey Cup victory in three years and establish himself as a premier quarterback in the CFL.
The winds of change extend beyond the playing field, with the recent appointment of Stewart Johnston as CFL Commissioner in April. Johnston, a former TSN president, brought a deeper understanding of the league’s intricacies to the role and immediately signaled his intention to implement significant changes.
In September, johnston unveiled a series of alterations to the CFL’s field dimensions and rules, to be phased in over the next few years, culminating in full implementation by 2027. These changes include the elimination of the ability to win a game on a missed field goal sailing out of the back of the endzone, the reduction of end zones from 20 to 15 yards, and the eventual removal of the 55-yard line.
While these modifications have been lauded by some, they have also generated considerable opposition, particularly within the league’s conventional fanbase, instantly positioning Johnston as a polarizing figure. The impact of this sentiment will be keenly observed in Winnipeg this week.
Historically, the CFL has prioritized catering to its existing fanbase. However, Johnston has made it clear that further changes are on the horizon, signaling a intentional effort to broaden the league’s appeal. In the traditionally conservative prairie heartland of Canadian football, such change is not always readily embraced, and the reception to Johnston’s initiatives will be a key indicator of the league’s future direction.