Greg Bell's 1,038 Rushing Yards and 62 Catches Are Coming To Ottawa, And Nobody Is Ready

Alright, Emerald City, forget about whatever else you had planned this Saturday, because the CFL season is officially kicking off, and it's time to pay attention! The Ottawa Redblacks are rolling out a whole new squad with some serious firepower, ready to ignite their season in Canada's capital. And across the field, the Edmonton Elks are looking to finally break free from their early-season curses. Both teams were scraping the bottom of their divisions last year, with the Redblacks at 4-14 and the Elks at 7-11, but there's a buzz in the air, a real sense of optimism that things are about to change.

Redblacks Unveil a Dangerous New Offense

The Redblacks are not messing around, folks. They've brought in a new starting quarterback, Jake Maier, a six-year veteran who's seen action in Calgary and Saskatchewan. He's stepping in for Dru Brown, and the plan is clear: Maier is going to lean heavily on offseason addition Greg Bell in the backfield. And let me tell you, Bell is a force. This dude led the *entire East Division* in rushing last season with a whopping 1,038 yards for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. But wait, there's more. He also reeled in 62 passes, which was a CFL-best for running backs! You read that right, a running back leading the league in catches. That kind of dual threat is game-changing. And the coaching staff? Ryan Dinwiddie is taking on a lot this season, serving as the Redblacks' general manager, head coach, and offensive coordinator. This isn't his first rodeo, either. He previously helped the Toronto Argonauts make the playoffs in four out of five seasons, even winning two Grey Cups. That's a championship pedigree right there. Dinwiddie is preaching culture and expectations, telling his team, "It's tough when you've lost for a few years and then the guys don't know how to win, but they don't know how not to lose." He's trying to flip the script, and with five of their first seven games at home, Maier knows what's up. He said, "If you want to be a championship team, you've got to win your home games." They want to put on a show for the fans.

Elks Eye a Fresh Start After Early Season Woes

Now, let's talk about the Edmonton Elks. They've had a rough go of it, especially at the start of seasons. I mean, they haven't won a season opener since 2019! They went 0-9 in 2023, 0-7 in 2024, and lost six of their first seven games in 2025. Ouch. But head coach Mark Kilam isn't dwelling on the past. He's all about what they *can* control, saying, "We're just trying to focus on the things we can control, and that's how we prepare out here on the field." They've got some serious talent, too. Quarterback Cody Fajardo is on the cusp of some major milestones, just three touchdown passes shy of 100 and two rushing scores short of 50. This nine-year veteran also boasts a stellar 9-1 record against Ottawa, which has to make the Redblacks a little nervous. And then there's running back Justin Rankin, who absolutely tore it up last season, leading the entire league in total yards from scrimmage with an insane 1,726. The Elks might have struggled, but they've got players who can make plays. This Saturday isn't just a game, folks, it's a statement for both these teams as they kick off their CFL season. The Redblacks are bringing a new look and some incredible talent, while the Elks are desperate to break their losing streak and start strong. You do not want to miss this!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.