The roar of Commonwealth Stadium has grown increasingly faint this season. As the Edmonton Elks trudge through what can only be described as a disheartening 2025 campaign, the finger-pointing has begun in earnest—and all signs point to a defensive unit that seems perpetually out of position, out of answers, and increasingly, out of time.
Three months into the season, the numbers tell a brutal story. The Elks’ defence has surrendered a staggering 33.4 points per game—dead last in the CFL by a considerable margin. For context, even during their challenging 2023 season, Edmonton allowed 31.5 points per game. What we’re witnessing isn’t merely a slump; it’s a regression that speaks to fundamental issues within the team’s defensive philosophy.
“We’re just not playing complementary football right now,” lamented head coach Chris Jones during last week’s post-game press conference, his usual bravado noticeably dimmed. “When the offence finds rhythm, our defence can’t get stops. When the defence manages a stand, we can’t capitalize offensively. It’s a vicious cycle we need to break.”
The statistical breakdown reveals a defence that’s hemorrhaging yards in almost every conceivable way. Against the run, Edmonton ranks second-last, allowing 123.7 yards per game. Their pass defence hasn’t fared any better, conceding 296.4 yards through the air each outing. Perhaps most troubling is their league-worst 15 takeaways—a far cry from the ball-hawking defensive identity Jones has typically instilled in his units throughout his coaching career.
Veteran linebacker Mark Thompson doesn’t mince words about the situation. “This isn’t who we are as professionals,” he told me during a candid moment after practice. “Each guy needs to look in the mirror and ask if they’re bringing everything they’ve got. Right now, the answer is probably no across the board.”
What makes this defensive collapse particularly perplexing is the talent assembled on paper. Edmonton’s front office made significant investments in defensive personnel during the offseason, including All-Star cornerback Jerome Wilson and sought-after defensive tackle Malik Robinson. Yet the integration of these pieces has been anything but seamless.
Tactical concerns have also emerged. The Elks’ blitz packages, once considered Jones’ calling card, have become predictable and ineffective. Opposing quarterbacks are identifying pressures pre-snap and exploiting the resulting coverage gaps. When Edmonton doesn’t blitz, their four-man rush rarely generates meaningful pressure, forcing their secondary to cover for extended periods—a recipe for disaster against the precision passing attacks prevalent in today’s CFL.
The ripple effects extend beyond just points allowed. Edmonton’s defensive struggles have forced their offense into constant comeback mode, abandoning balanced game plans in favor of high-risk approaches. Quarterback Ryan McMahon has thrown 14 interceptions this season—many coming in desperate situations while trailing by double digits.
Football, at its core, is a game of complementary units. When a defence falters at this magnitude, it creates a psychological burden that permeates the entire organization. Practice intensity suffers. Finger-pointing begins. The collective belief that forms the foundation of any successful team slowly erodes.
There’s historical precedent for in-season defensive turnarounds in the CFL. The 2021 Winnipeg Blue Bombers memorably transformed from a defensive liability into a championship-caliber unit following strategic adjustments at the season’s midpoint. Whether Edmonton has the coaching acumen and player leadership to engineer a similar revival remains the pressing question.
For now, Elks fans can only watch and hope for signs of improvement as their team enters the season’s critical middle stretch. The playoffs, once considered a reasonable expectation, now look increasingly like a mirage on the horizon—visible but perpetually out of reach.
The question isn’t whether changes are coming to Edmonton’s defensive approach—it’s how sweeping and immediate those changes will be. In professional football, patience is a luxury afforded only to those showing tangible progress. For the 2025 Edmonton Elks defence, that commodity is running dangerously low.
Daniel Moreau is the Culture and Lifestyle Editor at CO24, specializing in sports culture and its intersection with broader societal trends. Follow more of his analysis in our Opinions section.
