The 2025 CFL season kicks off on June 5, and there are plenty of futures bets to consider in addition to the always popular Grey Cup odds.
Few pro leagues see more offseason turnover than the CFL, and many of the moves fly under the radar of the mainstream sports media.
That's why I'm bringing you my 2025 team previews for all nine teams, along with a breakdown of key additions and departures. I also dig into the CFL odds to dig up my best bets for the upcoming football season north of the border.
CFL Team Previews 2025
Winnipeg Blue Bombers team preview
- 2024 record: 12-8 SU, 9-11 ATS, 6-14 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 10.5 (+110) / Under 10.5 (-140)
- Grey Cup Odds: +500 at BET99
Key Additions: RB Peyton Logan, WR Jerreth Sterns, WR Reggie White Jr. WR Dillon Mitchell, DE James Vaughters, LB Jonathan Jones
Key Departures: WR Ontaria Wilson, WR Kenny Lawler, WR Drew Wolitarsky, G Liam Dobson, DE TyJuan Garbutt, LB Adam Bighill, LB Fraser Sopik, DB Brandon Alexander, DB Tyrell Ford
2025 outlook
Will the Winnipeg Blue Bombers finally fall off after five-straight Grey Cup appearances? That looked to be the case last year after they began 2-6 SU and 1-7 ATS, but they turned things around and closed the regular season going 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS.
With quarterback Zach Collaros and reigning MOP Brady Oliveira, their attack will be explosive. However, I have questions about their stop unit, which lost shutdown corner Tyrell Ford and moved on from defensive anchor Adam Bighill in the offseason.
Best Bet: Zach Collaros Over 3,875.5 passing yards (-115 at BET99)
Over the last few years, the Bombers have been able to jump out to big leads and rely on their defense and ground game to control the clock. Expect closer contests and more negative game scripts for Winnipeg this year, which should mean an uptick in passing for Collaros.
The durable Collaros has thrown for more than 4,100 yards in each of the last three years. He'll also have top WR Dalton Schoen back on the field after the stud receiver missed almost all of last year with a knee injury.
Toronto Argonauts team preview
- 2024 record: 13-8 SU, 11-9-1 ATS, 15-6 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 10.5 (-190) / Under 10.5 (+145)
- Grey Cup Odds: +280 at BET99
Key Additions: WR Hergy Mayala, DL Anthony Lanier II, DE Bryan Cox Jr., LB Cameron Judge, LB Ryder Varga, DB Ciante Evans, DB Darrius Bratton.
Key Departures: RT Dejon Allen, WR Makai Polk WR, DE Folarin Orimolade, DE Robbie Smith, DE Jake Ceresna, DT Ralph Holley, DT Jaren Brinkman, LB Fraser Sopik, LB Jonathan Jones, DB DaShaun Amos, DB Royce Metchie.
2025 outlook
The Toronto Argonauts are the defending champs and 2025 Grey Cup favorites for a reason.
That said, there's no timeline for the return of star QB Chad Kelly, who fractured his tibia and fibula in last year's East Final. Nick Arbuckle led them to the Grey Cup but has been inconsistent throughout his career, so the Argos will be hoping to get Kelly back as soon as possible.
In addition, Toronto's success over the last couple of years has been largely due to a stacked defensive line. They lost five key players from their D-line rotation while saying goodbye to two of the best defensive backs.
Best Bet: Under 10.5 wins (+145 at BET99)
Don't be surprised if Kelly misses a few games at the start of this season. That, combined with the losses on defense, has me fading them on their win total.
Ottawa and Hamilton also look vastly improved, which will make the East Division a dog fight.
Montreal Alouettes team preview
- 2024 record: 12-6-1 SU, 10-8-1 ATS, 9-10 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 10.5 (+100) / Under 10.5 (-130)
- Grey Cup Odds: +425 at BET99
Key Additions: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, DT Shawn Oakman, Cyrille Hogan-Saindon C
Key Departures: QB Cody Fajardo, WR Kaion Julien-Grant, WR Reggie White Jr., DB Reggie Stubblefield, DB Nafees Lyon, G Philippe Gagnon G, DT Derek Wiggan
2025 Outlook
The Montreal Alouettes traded veteran QB Cody Fajardo in the offseason and handed the reins of the offense to Davis Alexander. The 26-year-old went 4-0 as a starter last year and has a bevy of talented receivers along with a strong line to protect him.
When you also factor in the continuity for the Als on defense, they should once again be top contenders.
Best Bet: Austin Mack Over 950.5 receiving yards (-115 at BET99)
Austin Mack earned All-CFL honours as a rookie in 2023 when he caught 78 passes for 1,154 yards in 17 games. That monster season led to an NFL opportunity, but the Falcons cut him last August, which led to him returning north.
Mack had a tough time adjusting to re-joining the Als midseason, and he was also hindered by injuries. Entering this season healthy and with a full camp under his belt should ensure Mack gets back to his 2023 form.
BC Lions team preview
- 2024 record: 9-10 SU, 8-11 ATS, 6-13 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 9.5 (-145) / Under 9.5 (+110)
- Grey Cup Odds: +640 at BET99
Key Additions: QB Jeremiah Masoli, RB James Butler, RT Dejon Allen, G David Foucault, DL DeWayne Hendrix, LB Adam Auclair, LB Micah Awe, DB Deontai Williams DB
Key Departures: RB William Stanback, Alexander Hollins WR, G Sukh Chung, DE Pete Robertson, LB Manny Rugamba, LB Boseko Lokombo, LB Ryder Varga, DB T.J. Lee, DB Ciante Evans, DB Adrian Greene.
2025 Outlook
The BC Lions were one of the most disappointing teams in the CFL last year. After starting 5-1, they went 4-8 SU in the final 12 games of the regular season before losing to the Riders in the West Semifinal.
They promptly fired head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell and replaced him with former Winnipeg OC Buck Pierce. They also upgraded their poor pass protection by adding stud RT Dejon Allen. This roster has also seen massive turnover at running back, linebacker, and in the secondary.
Best Bet: West Division regular season winner - Lions (+335 at BET99)
QB Nathan Rourke dominated the CFL in 2022 while DE Mathieu Betts won the league's Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award in 2023. Both players returned to the Lions last August after failed stints in the NFL.
It wasn't a smooth transition back to the CFL in the middle of the season, but with full training camps this year, expect them to play at an elite level again. That has me backing the Leos to finish the regular season with the best record in the West.
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Saskatchewan Roughriders team preview
- 2024 record: 10-9-1 SU, 12-8 ATS, 11-9 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 10.5 (-105) / Under 10.5 (-115)
- Grey Cup Odds: +525 at BET99
Key Additions: QB Jake Maier, RB Khalan Laborn, C Sean McEwen, G Philippe Gagnon, DT Mike Rose, DE Shane Ray, CB Tevaughn Campbell.
Key Departures: WR Jerreth Sterns, Trevor Reid OT, C Peter Godber, DL Anthony Lanier, DE Bryan Cox Jr., LB Adam Auclair, DB Deontai Williams, DB Amari Henderson.
2025 Outlook
Despite being decimated by injuries last year, the Saskatchewan Roughriders made it to the West Final. They kept their core intact and are getting plenty of buzz as a Grey Cup contender in 2025, but I'm not sold.
The Riders didn't lose many pieces from last year, but they also didn't get much better. Their Grey Cup hopes hinge on the health of a 39-year-old Trevor Harris, and while Corey Mace helped turn around the defense, they need more pass rush juice off the edge.
Best Bet: A.J. Ouellette Over 1,000.5 rushing yards (-115 at BET99)
With the offseason signings of center Sean McEwan and guard Philippe Gagnon and a healthy Jermacus Hardrick at tackle, the Riders will move bodies in the ground game.
After rushing for 1009 yards in 15 games with Toronto in 2023, A.J. Ouellette picked up 558 in just eight games last year. As long as he's healthy and doesn't miss more than a couple of weeks, he'll eclipse this number.
Ottawa Redblacks team preview
- 2024 record: 9-9-1 SU, 9-10 ATS, 9-10 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 10.5 (+110) / Under 10.5 (-140)
- Grey Cup Odds: +725 at BET99
Key Additions: RB William Stanback, WR Eugene Lewis, C Peter Godber, DB Tunde Adeleke, DB Nafees Lyon, DB Amari Henderson.
Key Departures: QB Jeremiah Masoli, WR Dominique Rhymes, WR Jaelon Acklin, C Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, DB Damon Webb, DB Brandin Dandridge.
2025 Outlook
After years of wallowing at the bottom of the East Division standings, the Ottawa Redblacks finally made the playoffs last year. Their aerial attack should once again be electric, and William Stanback will churn out yards on the ground.
The Redblacks' defensive line does a great job of generating pressure, while their linebackers should be much better after dealing with major injuries last year. That said, their secondary was torched down the stretch last year, and I don't think they've gotten any better in the back end.
Best Bet: Most Outstanding Player - Dru Brown (+1100 at BET99)
The MOP Award typically goes to a quarterback, and Dru Brown's numbers should be elite. In his first year as a starter last season, Brown threw for 3,959 yards despite missing three games and barely playing in three others.
Brown became more comfortable with OC Tommy Condel throughout the season and threw for more than 400 yards in each of his last three contests.
The addition of three-time All-Star Geno Lewis alongside Justin Hardy and Kalil Pimpleton will give Brown one of the best WR corps in the league. Ottawa's leaky secondary should also ensure that Brown is forced to air it out in shootouts.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats team preview
- 2024 record: 7-11 SU, 8-10 ATS, 13-5 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 8.5 (-115) / Under 8.5 (-110)
- Grey Cup Odds: +100 at BET99
Key Additions: WR Kenny Lawler, WR Drew Wolitarsky, C Liam Dobson, DE TyJuan Garbutt, DE Julian Howsare, DB Reggie Stubblefield, DB DaShaun Amos.
Key Departures: RB James Butler, WR Steven Dunbar Jr., C David Beard, Brandon Barlow DE, DB Richard Leonard, DB Will Sunderland.
2025 Outlook
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats won five of their last seven games in 2024 but fell just shy of the playoffs. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell proved that he wasn't washed up by leading the league in passing yards (5451) and touchdowns (32).
Hamilton's formidable WR corps will be even better this year after signing Kenny Lawler, which gives Mitchell another toy to play with. The secondary should also be stronger with the additions of Reggie Stubblefield and DaShaun Amos.
Best Bet: Over 8.5 wins (-115 at BET99)
Mitchell is surrounded by weapons at wide receiver while running back Greg Bell looks poised for a breakout year.
The Ticats didn't wake up until mid-July last year, but a stronger start should ensure they get to .500.
Edmonton Elks team preview
- 2024 record: 7-11 SU, 10-8 ATS, 11-7 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 7.5 (-170)/Under 7.5 (+130)
- Grey Cup Odds: +1300 at BET99
Key Additions: QB Cody Fajardo, WR Alexander Hollins, WR Steven Dunbar Jr., WR Kaion Julien-Grant, C David Beard, DE Jake Ceresna, DE Robbie Smith, DT Jared Brinkman, DL Brandon Barlow, CB Tyrell Ford, DB Royce Metchie.
Key Departures: WR Euguene Lewis, WR Dillon Mitchell, WR Hergy Mayala, WR Tevin Jones, OL David Foucault, DT Shawn Oakman, LB Derrick Moncrief, DB Darius Bratton.
2025 Outlook
The Edmonton Elks began last season with seven-straight losses but turned things around by going 7-4 SU and ATS in their last 11 games.
They overhauled their roster in the offseason and made multiple upgrades on defense. Edmonton also replaced head coach Chris Jones with former Stampeders assistant Mark Kilam.
Best Bet: Over 7.5 wins (-170 at BET99)
No team improved more in the offseason than the Elks, who pillaged Toronto's defensive line for Ceresna, Smith, and Brinkman. Tyrell Ford gives them a lockdown corner, and his brother Tre Ford is poised for a big year as QB1.
With a revamped roster and Kilam providing a much-needed coaching change, Edmonton should surpass this meager win total.
Calgary Stampeders team preview
- 2024 record: 5-12-1 SU, 8-10 ATS, 10-8 O/U
- 2025 win total O/U: Over 6.5 (-135)/Under 6.5 (+105)
- Grey Cup Odds: +2500 at BET99
Key Additions: QB Vernon Adams Jr., WR Tevin Jones, WR Dominique Rhymes, DE Folarin Orimolade, DT Miles Brown, LB Fraser Sopik, LB Derrick Moncrief, DB Damon Webb, DB Adrian Greene.
Key Departures: WR C Sean McEwan, DT Mike Rose, DE Julian Howsare, DB Tre Roberson, DB Demerio Houston, DB Branden Dozier, DB Kobe Williams.
2025 Outlook
The Calgary Stampeders went 6-12 in 2023 and were even worse last year, finishing with the league's worst record at 5-12-1.
They traded for veteran QB Vernon Adams Jr., however, questions at receiver and a weak O-line won't help him succeed in a new environment. The defense should get a boost from the addition of end Folarin Orimolade, but that's offset by the loss of interior rusher Mike Rose.
Best Bet: Under 6.5 wins (+105 at BET99)
The Stamps are projected to be the worst team in the league once again, and top-to-bottom, their roster looks weaker than everybody else.
Typically, the two worst teams in the CFL finish with fewer than 6.5 wins, so don't hesitate to bet the Under 6.5 wins for Calgary at plus money.
