New Year but same hustle and grind for the Edmonton Elks.

With new calendars, however, comes a new season in the Canadian Football League, and the Edmonton Elks are confident that they are making the right moves as per the 2026 CFL Winter Meetings. A tradition that signals the beginning of Free Agency negotiations, the annual media day spoke on many topics for every franchise, the media asking questions for almost 30 minutes per team at times. For the Elks this process may have seemed like a repeat of last year, if not for a full year of the Ed Hervey and Mark Kilam regime.

THE FOUNDATION IS SET

The Elks finished their 76th season strong, much like 75th, the difference being many football operational roles including Kilam and Hervey. Shotgun Sports Network asked Mark Kilam what worked in 2025 and what he would like to build on in 2026, and he stated, "I think we found our identity in the back half of the season, we became the team that we wanted to be and we put in the work we need to do to do that. Really for us, we felt like foundationally we put some pieces in place that we need to build off."

"Our focus is having a great offseason, so that we can have a great training camp, so that we can start faster in 2026," said Kilam. The Elks have found continuity in many areas of their organization and even though the coaching staff hasn't been announced yet, expect many of last year's coaches to return in an effort to build upon the foundation set by Kilam and company.

JAKE CERESNA REMAINS UNSIGNED FOR 2026

When asked about the potential for DL Jake Ceresna to return to the Green and Gold, Ed Hervey explained to Shotgun Sports Network, "His agent had expressed that he wanted a little bit of time to sort out some things this offseason, obviously we'd love to him back if things can work out."

"Free agency is a very tricky environment right, everyone tries to get to a point where they try to maximize the most that they can as far as compensation is concerned, and I'd imagine that if there are opportunities for his representatives to at least find out what else is out there for him, you know, that could play a part in how the talks go. I mean we all understand how things can happen alot sooner, and sometimes it takes time because people want to gather as much information as they can before making a decision."

It appears that Jake Ceresna may test the market but the Elks want him back for 2026 if possible.

TRE FORD RETURN POSSIBLE?

Justin Dunk of 3DownNation asked the question everybody was wondering: What's going to happen with Tre Ford?

Ed Hervey's response:

"We're going to work through that and do whatever is best for the situation. We want to do right by Tre having a chance to discuss that and see where it goes. If there's an opportunity to place him where he wants to go, maybe there's an opportunity that things can be worked out here. All options are open at this point."

It appears that there's a future for Tre Ford in Edmonton afterall based on Hervey's answer. The 2025 Elks season ended with fans speculating on whether or not the Canadian QB may return to Edmonton, and based on the $110,000 roster bonus due on February 1st, Hervey and Ford's agent will have to go to work soon should Ford's future remain in Edmonton.

WHO STAYS, WHO GOES?

Other notable free agents mentioned were WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and DB Kobe Williams. Gittens Jr. appears to be testing free agency this year, while Williams and Hervey are talking about a return as per Hervey himself. With many other names on the EE free agency board, Hervey will have many tough decisions before the "Ed Hervey Tampering Window" officially opens up, the period where athletes and agents talk to other teams before officially declaring their intent to test the market.

NEXT UP: FREE AGENT FRENZY ON FEBRUARY 10TH 2026

The Green and Gold will look to level up once again in just over a month, as Hervey and his staff will choose the players and coaching staff to lead the franchise back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Now that Ed Hervey and Mark Kilam have officially held their roles for a full year, now is the time for improvement and both Hervey and Kilam believe the results are coming.

2026 CFL WINTER MEETINGS - DAVE DICKENSON, MARK KILAM AND ED HERVEY