Commentary: New CFL rule changes drawing mixed reaction from fans, players

Nathan Rourke and the BC Lions celebrate a touchdown during a game in Hamilton (Credit: Matt Baker/BC Lions)

The weather is getting colder, leaves are changing to red and orange colours and the threat of snow is getting closer and closer.

These changes in the air can only mean one thing—we are only a few weeks away from the start of the Canadians Football League (CFL) playoffs.  

To date, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Saskatchewan Roughriders have booked their spot in the postseason. Several teams remain on the outside looking in, with some needing external help to claim their spot.  

Only three weeks remain in the regular season.  

All roads lead to Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg for the 112th Grey Cup. Despite much of the league focusing on the push to the playoffs, another huge piece of league news was recently announced. 

On Sept. 22, Stewart Johnson, the current CFL commissioner, announced in a media conference that a number of changes were coming to the league.

These changes to the CFL are going to take place in a two-year phased approach.

"This is all about making our great game even more entertaining," said Johnston in a statement. "We are trading field goals for touchdowns, while improving fan experience in stadiums and at home."

Starting in 2026, the league will implement phase one of the changes. Teams will now have 35 seconds to run a play, compared to the current 20 seconds. Once a play is whistled dead, the clock will start. The new rule aims to make the game faster. 

Sidelines are going to be on opposite sides of the field. Having players closer to their team’s bench is meant to eliminate them from running across the field during a substitution. 

With the faster clock in place, a question must be asked. Will the same excitement of the final three minutes remain with the 35 second clock in place? 

"These changes are the most significant in decades. We are retaining the unique elements upon which our traditions stand, but innovating where change is needed to evolve our world-class game." 

Most games in the CFL are decided within the last three minutes. A team may have the lead with three minutes left in the fourth quarter. Yet, they end up dropping the game to their opponent. In short, there is nothing like the last three minutes in the CFL.  

The rouge, a unique way to score a point and win games, is also set to be modified. To some CFL fans, myself included, the rouge is the greatest Canadian invention since insulin.

Teams are given a single, for putting a field goal or punt through the back of the end zone. 

With the rule changes, a rouge point will be given only if the returner fails to make it out of their end zone off a field goal, punt, or kickoff. Changing the rouge also brings about a discussion about the necessity of kickers.  

However, the most important rule changes are set to take place in 2027. 

In 2027, the uprights will be moved to the back of the end zone. Repositioning the goal posts is set to give more room for receivers to catch touchdowns. At the same time, the field will be shortened from 110 yards to 100 and the end zone will be 15 yards in length.  

The new rules are drawing mixed reviews from fans.  

Some people like the incoming changes. Supporters of the rules feel games will be faster and the league will pay off in the long run.  

At the same time, others believe the rule modifications will cause the CFL to lose some of its uniqueness. These aspects are what set the league apart from other professional football leagues, like the National Football League. 

Nathan Rourke was one of the first players to react to the rule changes. He plays quarterback for the British Columbia (BC) Lions and is in the midst of an impressive season. Many view him as the frontrunner for many of the league’s major awards, like the “Most Outstanding Canadian.”  

Rourke described the rule changes as “garbage.” 

He also voiced his displeasure about how players were not consulted on the changes.

“I went down to the states, proud of the game, being able to explain the differences,” Rourke told reporters. “The waggle, the yard, the extra person, these are things that are unique about the game, that make it different, and there’s ... the rule changes - to me - make it sound like we want to be like the league down south.” 

Mike O’Shea, head coach for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, was another critic of the rule changes. He is a Canadian Football Hall of Famer and a multi-time Grey Cup Champion.

O’Shea expressed many of the same concerns as Rourke, including how players and coaches were not consulted in the decision.  

“In general, when changes are affecting your ability to do your job or affecting your job, you would like to have a say in it, for sure,” O’Shea told reporters. 

“Some of these ideas — people have been talking about the rouge for a long time. It’s part of a whole offseason discussion almost every year, which drums up discussion about the CFL, creates debate and is probably good for us.” 

“It’s ours, uniquely ours. I love it. It’s an exciting game,” he said.