5 Watch Points for the 2026 BC Lions

The BC Lions had the lead late in the 2025 West Final, before surrendering it to the eventual Grey Cup Champion, Saskatchewan Roughriders. They were likely one first down from punching their ticket to the Grey Cup in Winnipeg.

Heading into 2026, the Lions will look to build on that started last season. There will be challenges along the way, starting in Kamloops, moving onto Kelowna, and being homeless for the first few weeks of the season. Let us take a look at 5 watch points for the BC Lions, as we approach training camp.

The last couple of seasons, the Lions have gotten off to slow starts, losing key season matchups up against west opponents that put them behind the eight-ball when trying to win the division, getting that bye at the end of the year and hosting the West Final.

Should they hope to accomplish this, they will have to dig deep in the face of some early season challenges. By now everyone knows the BC Lions and Toronto Argonauts are being displaced by the 2026 World Cup.

So, following training camp in Kamloops, the Lions will have a bye-week and then head to Regina for the Riders banner raising and home opener for a rematch of the game they nearly won, but ended their 2025 season. Playing in Regina is tough at the best of times, but the atmosphere should be off the charts for this one, and the territory hostile to start the new season.

Next, they head to Hamilton, to face the competitive Tiger-Cats, where Bo Levi Mitchell will have a chip on his shoulder after conceding the MOP honours to Nathan Rourke.

After two straight road games, the Lions will start their “home” schedule in Kelowna, for two critical weeks against west opponents. First, Vernon Adams and the Calgary Stampeders, followed by the free agency bolstered Edmonton Elks. They will play the Elks back-to-back, as the team will head to Edmonton, before finally returning to BC Place July 25th against the road weary Toronto Argonauts.

5 games, 4 west opponents, all games way from BC Place. A slow start and the Lions could find themselves chasing the pack in the West once again.

There is a potential positive to this extended road trip the Lions will endure. Team bonding will have a strong chance to create great locker room chemistry as the team spends this extended period together. If so, and the Lions can get off to a strong start, it could set them up for success.

It’s not often a team can lose a player the calibre of Jarell Broxton, and the Lions are faced with that issue as they had to Kamloops. The club made an offer that would have made Broxton the highest paid offensive lineman in the CFL, but he still wanted to test the free agency waters and found the Bombers could offer more. The Lions couldn’t come up to match given the resources tied up elsewhere.

It is a big loss, and a bit of scary one for the Lions, whose season relies heavily on the health of the reigning MOP and MOC, quarterback Nathan Rourke.

The returning Kory Woodruff will get the first chance at replacing the all-star tackle and did fill in well for Broxton last season when the latter was forced to miss some action. Woodruff excelled at guard last season, so of course, moving him out to tackle creates a hole at his old guard spot.

Dejon Allen, who barely saw the field last season returns this year on the right side, and while Ryan Rigmaiden feels he would be talented enough to move the left, it is not that easy mechanics wise and would be a challenge and more of a last resort move.

There is also the chance that a player will emerge during training camp and the pre-season that may warrant a shot. The Lions have 14 offensive lineman currently on the roster heading into camp. On our podcast earlier this off-season, Rigmaiden indicated there’s a couple they are excited about, though he didn’t name anyone in particular.

Regardless, protecting your most valuable asset’s blindside will be paramount for success for the Lions in 2026, so finding a replacement for Broxton will be high on the priority list.

Those who watched the final couple minutes of the West Final will remember how easily the Riders were able to march down the field to pull out the win. Whether that was defensive scheme, blown coverages or a combination of both, the Lions will be looking to solidify the backend of their defense.

The unit is once again going to be led by Gary Peters and TJ Lee. Peters spent much of last season dealing with an jury to his knee, and while his resilience and toughness were to be admired, it definitely had an impact on his usually stellar play at corner.

Lee on the other hand began the season without a job and was brought back by the Lions to help a secondary thqt was struggling. Once he arrived the unit really improved with his added experience and leadership. Many describe Lee’s presence as having an extra coach on the field.

Jackson Findlay arrived on the scene last season and when he found his way into the lineup, he made sure the coaches wouldn’t be able to remove him. His ceiling has not been reached yet and it’s going to be treat to watch him play in his first full season as a starter.

Another stud in the unit is Christophe Beaulieu, who will miss the start of the season as he continues to rehab from a bad knee injury suffered last season.

The departure of Robert Carter Junior to the NFL will be a loss, the rookie was impressive in 2025. Should he not stick in the NFL, the Lions do retain his rights. Deontai Williams and Ronald Kent Jr. will also be back.

The Lions are aware of the challenges and currently have no fewer than 24 defensive backs on the roster, including former Denver Bronco Essang Bassey, and some CFL experience with CJ Colden, Marquise Bridges and Jamal Parker Jr.

Nathan Rourke established himself as a premiere talent again last season, much to the chagrin of those couch experts and pundits that called him a one hit wonder after his return from the NFL. The Lions had a record setting offense last season, and the driver of that offense is Rourke.

Just how much better he can be is the question. We have talked about changes to the offensive line, and how critical it is that the Lions retool that quickly to start the season. But Rourke will be the first to tell you one of his goals this year is to throw fewer interceptions.

When you like to push the ball downfield, interceptions are going to happen, and a few of those were tipped balls, or balls off the hands of a receiver and into the arms of a defender. Those you can’t control as a QB, but others you can eliminate or at least keep to a minimum.

Rourke has much of the same receiving crew back, and he is entering year two working with Buck Pierce. On our podcast he admitted there was a period of adjustment last year with a new head coach, but now he says the comfort and confidence is there, and there should be no such issue this year.

That should be scary for the rest of the league, and exciting for Lions fans.

Fasten your seat belts, the Lions have loaded up the front seven of their defense, and this group should be able to get to the quarterback and cause havoc in the opposition backfield.

First they brought in Darnell Sankey following his surprise release in Montreal, then they add Casey Sales to a group that led the CFL in sacks last year. Bradlee Anae and Levi Bell were added to the group mid season and were a big part of that success. They’ll have some experience on their side in 2026.

Mathieu Betts started slowly stats wise thanks to double teams, but once Anae and Bell arrived, teams couldn’t do that anymore and Betts did what he does best. He ended up leading the league in sacks with 15, on his way to Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Jonah Tavai returns as an important piece, and the Lions are excited to see what newcomer Ezekiel Vandenburgh can do.

The West will be incredibly tough as it usually is, and these 5 watch points will go a long way to determining where they finish.