CFL Rivals Are Getting Sharper — And Ottawa Is Watching
Ottawa RedBlacks fans know better than anyone that defence wins championships in the CFL, and right now, one of their toughest conference rivals is putting in the work to prove it. Edmonton Elks linebacker J.C. Sherritt is crediting a culture of precision and attention to detail for what scouts and analysts are calling a genuine defensive turnaround in Edmonton.
Sherritt, one of the most respected defensive voices in the Canadian Football League, has been outspoken this offseason about what it takes to build a dominant defensive unit — and his message is simple: the details matter more than anything else.
What's Driving Edmonton's Defensive Shift
According to a report from 3DownNation, Sherritt has been pointing to the small, often overlooked elements of preparation — film study, assignment discipline, and consistent communication between linebackers and the secondary — as the drivers behind Edmonton's improved defensive identity.
For a franchise that has historically leaned on its offensive firepower, this kind of defensive accountability signals a real shift in philosophy. If the Elks can back it up on the field in 2026, it could make them a significantly tougher out when they travel to TD Place to face the RedBlacks.
Why This Matters for Ottawa
The RedBlacks have their own defensive aspirations heading into the season. Ottawa's coaching staff has been building depth at linebacker and in the secondary, with the goal of matching the physicality of teams like Edmonton and Winnipeg in the West, and competing with Hamilton and Toronto in the East.
Sherritt's comments are a reminder that CFL defence is as much about culture as it is about talent. The RedBlacks will need to match that same level of detail-oriented preparation if they're going to contend for a Grey Cup berth in 2026.
TD Place crowds have seen Ottawa's defence rise and fall over the years. The hope among the fanbase — and the coaching staff — is that 2026 is the year the unit locks in and becomes the kind of disruptive force that makes opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable.
A League Getting More Competitive
What Sherritt's story really illustrates is how competitive the CFL is becoming from a defensive standpoint. Teams across the league are investing in defensive coaching, analytics, and player development in ways that are closing the gap between elite clubs and mid-table ones.
For Ottawa fans, that means every offseason development across the league matters. When Edmonton gets better defensively, the RedBlacks have to respond in kind.
Keep an eye on how the Elks' defence performs in the preseason — and how Ottawa's own unit measures up when the 2026 CFL schedule kicks off.
Source: 3DownNation via Google News RedBlacks RSS feed
