2024 CFL season explained

2024 CFL season
Duration:June 6 – October 26, 2024
Mvp Link:CFL's Most Outstanding Player Award
Conf1:East
Conf1 Champ:Toronto Argonauts
Conf2:West
Conf2 Champ:Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Finals:111th Grey Cup
Finals Date:November 17, 2024
Finals Venue:BC Place, Vancouver
Finals Champ:Toronto Argonauts
Prevseason Year:2023
Nextseason Year:2025
Seasonslist:List of Canadian Football League seasons
Seasonslistnames:CFL

The 2024 CFL season was the 70th season of modern professional Canadian football. Officially, it was the 66th season of the Canadian Football League. Vancouver hosted the 111th Grey Cup on November 17, 2024.[1] [2] The regular season started on June 6, and ended on October 26, with 18 games played per team over 21 weeks.[3]

CFL news in 2024

Salary cap

According to the new collective bargaining agreement, the 2024 salary cap will be at least $5,525,000 (or $124,111 per active roster spot) plus an unlimited non-football related services (marketing fund) with a minimum spend of $110,000 per club.[4] [5] With the unlimited marketing fund, most teams spent $12-14 million on football operations in 2023 with the majority of that on player costs. This will be the first league year that players will begin to receive revenue sharing, which will be set at 25% this season (or a cap increase of 2.78% for every dollar increase).[4] The salary cap is officially announced in late April every year as well as fines/luxury tax from the previous season. On April 19, 2024, the league announced that Hamilton, Winnipeg and BC paid luxury tax for exceeding the cap in 2023, but not by more than $100,000, which would have resulted in fines and the loss of draft selections. As was the case in 2023, the minimum player salary will be set at $70,000.[4] [5]

Draft changes

Beginning this season, the two teams that had National players play the most snaps from the previous season received additional second-round draft picks in this year's draft.[4]

Scheduling

During his commissioner's state of the league address on November 14, 2023, Randy Ambrosie confirmed that the 2024 schedule would return to a more balanced format instead of focusing on interdivisional match ups. In an 18-game schedule, western teams played 12 divisional and six interdivisional games and eastern teams played 10 divisional and eight interdivisional games in 2022 and 2023, but would return to playing at least two games with every opponent resulting in western teams playing 10 divisional and eight interdivisional games and eastern teams playing eight divisional and 10 interdivisional games.[6] This was confirmed with the schedule release on December 14, 2023.[3]

Touchdown Pacific

On November 29, 2023, the league announced that the BC Lions would be the host team for a neutral site game to be played at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria on August 31, 2024, against the Ottawa Redblacks.[7]

Player movement

Free agency

The 2024 free agency period officially began on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET.[8] Pending free agents and teams were able to negotiate offers for one week starting Sunday, February 4, 2024, and ending Sunday, February 11, 2024.[9] All formal offers to a player during this time were sent to both the league and the players union and cannot be rescinded.[10]

Trade deadline

The in-season trade deadline was on October 2 at 5:00 pm EDT.[11]

Regular season

Standings

Postseason

See main article: 111th Grey Cup.

Playoff bracket

Broadcasting

The CFL will continue to be broadcast on TSN and RDS across all platforms in Canada as part of their current contract.[12] The broadcast rights are reported to have been extended through 2025.[13] In June 2024, Bell Media announced that CTV would broadcast TSN-produced CFL coverage on digital terrestrial television, including a late-season package of exclusive 3 p.m. ET games beginning on September 7, continuing with playoff coverage of the East Division, and concluding with a simulcast of the 111th Grey Cup; returning the CFL to over-the-air television for the first time since 2007.[14]

Broadcast rights for the CFL in the United States remain with CBS Sports Network (CBSSN) following their acquisition of the rights during the 2023 season.[15] CBSSN's package consists mostly of Saturday and Sunday contests during June and July, a majority of August games, and the Labour Day and Thanksgiving Day Classics.[16]

The league will continue the use of its own streaming platform, CFL+, which will stream the TSN broadcast to US audiences (when CBSSN is not broadcasting a game) and international audiences (all games) at no cost. The CFL also expanded on its functionality, allowing VOD replay for up to 48 hours after the game and used CFL+ to broadcast most of the preseason using in-stadium video feeds and local radio play-by-play commentary.[17]

Award winners

CFL Honour Roll

Weekly Honour Roll! Week!! Quarterback!! Running back!! Receiver!! Offensive lineman!! Defensive lineman!! Linebacker!! Defensive back!! Returner!! Kicker/Punter!! Special teams!! Offensive line
1
[18]
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2
[19]
Rolan Milligan Montreal Alouettes
3
[20]
DeVonte Dedmon Toronto Argonauts
4
[21]
Vernon Adams Ryquell Armstead Edmonton Elks
5
[22]
Vernon Adams Nick Callender Casey Sayles Rolan Milligan Sergio Castillo Montreal Alouettes
6
[23]
Vernon Adams Ka'Deem Carey Wynton McManis Adarius Pickett Janarion Grant Winnipeg Blue Bombers
7
[24]
Nik Constantinou Saskatchewan Roughriders
8
[25]
Ka'Deem Carey Tyrice Beverette Hamilton Tiger-Cats
9
[26]
Shea Patterson Brady Oliveira Adam Bighill Mario Alford Sergio Castillo Mario Alford Hamilton Tiger-Cats
10
[27]
William Stanback Terry Williams Brett Lauther Toronto Argonauts
11
[28]
Jameer Thurman Tyrell Ford Lewis Ward Winnipeg Blue Bombers
12
[29]
Brady Oliveira DeVonte Dedmon Edmonton Elks
13
[30]
McLeod Bethel-Thompson Micah Awe DeVonte Dedmon Saskatchewan Roughriders
14
[31]
Martez Ivey Edmonton Elks
15
[32]
Greg Bell Brandon Revenberg Cameron Judge Janarion Grant Hamilton Tiger-Cats
16
[33]
Trevor Harris Ryquell Armstead Mustafa Johnson Jameer Thurman Mario Alford Marc Liegghio Saskatchewan Roughriders
17
[34]
William Stanback Nick Callender Shawn Oakman Rolan Milligan James Letcher Nik Constantinou Hamilton Tiger-Cats
18
[35]
Nathan Rourke Brady Oliveira Nic Demski Jake Julien Winnipeg Blue Bombers
19
[36]
Chad Kelly Justin Rankin Wynton McManis Loucheiz Purifoy Terry Williams Montreal Alouettes
20
[37]
Chad Kelly Kalil Pimpleton Benjie Franklin Hamilton Tiger-Cats
21
[38]
Damon Webb Sergio Castillo Montreal Alouettes
Monthly Honour Roll! Month!! Quarterback!! Running back!! Receiver!! Offensive lineman!! Defensive lineman!! Linebacker!! Defensive back!! Returner!! Kicker/Punter!! Special teams!! Offensive line
June
[39]
Toronto Argonauts
July
[40]
Vernon Adams Montreal Alouettes
August
[41]
Brady Oliveira Edmonton Elks
September
[42]
Trevor Harris Brady Oliveira Martez Ivey Casey Sayles Hamilton Tiger-Cats
October
[43]
Brady Oliveira James Letcher Montreal Alouettes

Pro Football Focus

3DownNation

Best of the Week! Week! Offensive Player! Defensive Player! Special Teams Player! Breakout Player! Offensive Line! Coach
1
[66]
Ryan Dinwiddie
2
[67]
Scott Milanovich
3
[68]
Jarious Jackson
4
[69]
René Paredes Calgary Stampeders Jason Maas
5
[70]
Jordan Maksymic
6
[71]
Calgary Stampeders Tommy Condell
7
[72]
Janarion Grant Brent Monson
8
[73]
Bo Levi Mitchell Kalil Pimpleton Bob Dyce
9
[74]
Sergio Castillo Jordan Younger
10
[75]
Janarion Grant Charleston Rambo Montreal Alouettes Mickey Donovan
11
[76]
Ryquell Armstead Saskatchewan Roughriders Jordan Younger
12
[77]
Brett Lauther Ottawa Redblacks Chris Jones
13
[78]
Edmonton Elks Jarious Jackson
14
[79]
Damon Webb Ottawa Redblacks Mike O'Shea
15
[80]
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Kevin Eiben/
William Fields
16
[81]
Ryquell Armstead Saskatchewan Roughriders Jordan Younger
17
[82]
Rolan Milligan James Letcher Jr. Buck Pierce
18
[83]
Marty Costello
19
[84]
Justin Rankin Cody Grace Toronto Argonauts Corey Mace
20
[85]
Bo Levi Mitchell Hamilton Tiger-Cats Scott Milanovich
21
[86]
Tyrice Beverette Edmonton Elks Tommy Condell

2024 All-CFL team

Offence

Defence

Special teams

Source[88]

2024 Western All-CFL team

Offence

Defence

Special teams

Source[89]

2024 Eastern All-CFL team

Offence

Defence

Special teams

Source[89]

2024 CFL Awards

West Division!style="background-color: #06407C;"
East DivisionLeague
Most Outstanding PlayerBrady Oliveira
(Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Bo Levi Mitchell
(Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Brady Oliveira
(Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Most Outstanding CanadianBrady Oliveira
(Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund
(Montreal Alouettes)
Brady Oliveira
(Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
Most Outstanding Defensive PlayerRolan Milligan
(Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Tyrice Beverette
(Montreal Alouettes)
Rolan Milligan
(Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Most Outstanding Offensive LinemanLogan Ferland
(Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Ryan Hunter
(Toronto Argonauts)
Ryan Hunter
(Toronto Argonauts)
Most Outstanding Special Teams PlayerSean Whyte
(BC Lions)
Janarion Grant
(Toronto Argonauts)
Janarion Grant
(Toronto Argonauts)
Most Outstanding RookieNick Anderson
(Edmonton Elks)
Shemar Bridges
(Hamilton Tiger-Cats)
Nick Anderson
(Edmonton Elks)
Coach of the YearCorey Mace
(Saskatchewan Roughriders)
Jason Maas
(Montreal Alouettes)
Jason Maas
(Montreal Alouettes)
[90] [91]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BC Lions to host 111th Grey Cup in 2024 . . November 3, 2022.
  2. Web site: Countdown to kick-off: A toast to the 111th Grey Cup and 2024 Grey Cup festival . . November 16, 2023.
  3. Web site: 2024 Schedule . . December 14, 2023.
  4. Web site: Details of the CFL's new CBA: salary cap increases, ratio changes, and guaranteed contracts . 3DownNation . May 26, 2022.
  5. Web site: CFL commissioner Ambrosie feels new deal provides benefits for both CFL and players . . May 28, 2022.
  6. News: Early look: 10 dates to circle for 2019 . . December 20, 2018.
  7. Web site: West Coast Vibes: Touchdown Series heads to Victoria in 2024 . . November 29, 2023.
  8. Web site: Free agency opens February 13 . . November 24, 2023.
  9. Web site: Negotiating window a new feature of 2020 free agency . . January 27, 2020.
  10. Web site: Details for the CFL's new negotiating window prior to free agency . January 27, 2020 . 3DownNation. Dunk, Justin.
  11. Web site: Lions Acquire Running Back Jeshrun Antwi From Montreal . October 2, 2024 . . en.
  12. Web site: CFL and TSN extend rights on long-term deal . . November 21, 2019.
  13. Web site: BARNES: CFL agrees to new six-year TV deal with TSN . . September 6, 2019. Barnes, Dan.
  14. Web site: Star-Studded New Series, Returning Hits, and Live Events to Anchor CTV's 2024/25 Schedule . 2024-06-06 . . en-CA.
  15. News: NFL TV, radio, web schedules for 2024 season, plus CFL. Middletown Times Herald-Record. Ken. McMillian. May 15, 2024.
  16. https://static.cfl.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2024-CFL-Broadcast-Mastera_updatedJune19_2024.pdf Full 2024 Broadcast Schedule
  17. Preseason games headed to TSN, RDS, and CFL+. May 9, 2024. Canadian Football League.
  18. Web site: CFL Honour Roll, Week 1: Maier earns player of the week. June 11, 2024. Canadian Football League. June 11, 2024.
  19. Web site: CFL Honour Roll, Week 2: Adams Jr., Ford, Als' offensive line earn top marks. June 18, 2024. Canadian Football League. June 18, 2024.
  20. Web site: CFL Honour Roll, Week 3: Bethel-Thompson, Beverette, Argos' O-line make the grade. June 25, 2024. Canadian Football League. June 26, 2024.
  21. Web site: CFL Honour Roll, Week 4: Adams Jr., Edouard, Elks' O-line make the grade. July 2, 2024. Canadian Football League. July 3, 2024.
  22. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 5: Adams Jr., Sayles, Als' O-Line earn top marks. July 9, 2024. Canadian Football League. July 9, 2024.
  23. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 6: McManis, Wilson, Bombers' O-line top of class. July 16, 2024. Canadian Football League. July 16, 2024.
  24. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 7: Ajou, Hendrix, Riders O-line top of the class. July 23, 2024. Canadian Football League. July 24, 2024.
  25. Web site: CFL Honour Roll, Week 8: Dequoy, Alexander, Ticats' O-line head of class. July 30, 2024. Canadian Football League. July 30, 2024.
  26. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 9: Metchie, Patterson, Ticats' O-line earn top marks. August 6, 2024. Canadian Football League. August 6, 2024.
  27. Web site: Honor Roll, Week 10: Powell, Oakman, Argos' O-Line earn top marks. August 13, 2024. Canadian Football League. August 13, 2024.
  28. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 11: Harris, Ford, Bombers' O-line lead the way. August 20, 2024. Canadian Football League. August 20, 2024.
  29. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 12: Brown, Covington, Elks' OL head of class. August 27, 2024. Canadian Football League. August 28, 2024.
  30. Web site: Honour Roll, OK Tire Labour Day Weekend: Bethel-Thompson earns top marks. September 4, 2024. Canadian Football League. September 8, 2024.
  31. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 14: Rose, Mackie, Elks' O-line head of class. September 10, 2024. Canadian Football League. September 13, 2024.
  32. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 15: Nick Usher head of class. September 17, 2024. Canadian Football League. September 18, 2024.
  33. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 16: Harris, Thurman, Riders' OL make the grade. September 24, 2024. Canadian Football League. September 24, 2024.
  34. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 17: Collaros, Milligan Jr., Ticats' O-Line make the grade. October 1, 2024. Canadian Football League. October 1, 2024.
  35. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 18: Rourke, Nichols, Bombers' OL make the grade. October 8, 2024. Canadian Football League. October 8, 2024.
  36. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 19: McManis head of class. October 16, 2024. Canadian Football League. October 17, 2024.
  37. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 20: Christophe Beaulieu head of class. October 22, 2024. Canadian Football League. October 22, 2024.
  38. Web site: Honour Roll, Week 21: Arbuckle, Webb, Als' O-line make the grade. October 29, 2024. Canadian Football League. October 29, 2024.
  39. Web site: CFL Honour Roll, June: Adams Jr., Brinkman, Argos O-line earn full marks. July 3, 2024. Canadian Football League. July 4, 2024.
  40. Web site: CFL Honour Roll, July: Dequoy, McInnis, Als' O-line get top marks. July 31, 2024. Canadian Football League. August 1, 2024.
  41. Web site: Honour Roll, August: Harris, Ford, Elks' offensive line earn top marks. August 28, 2024. Canadian Football League. August 29, 2024.
  42. Web site: Honour Roll, September: Harris, Sayles, Ticats' offensive line earn top marks. October 2, 2024. Canadian Football League. October 3, 2024.
  43. Web site: Honour Roll, October: Loucheiz Purifoy earns top defensive mark. October 30, 2024. Canadian Football League. October 31, 2024.
  44. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 1: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. June 11, 2024. Pro Football Focus. June 12, 2024.
  45. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 2: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. June 18, 2024. Pro Football Focus. June 19, 2024.
  46. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 3: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. June 25, 2024. Pro Football Focus. June 26, 2024.
  47. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 4: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. July 2, 2024. Pro Football Focus. July 3, 2024.
  48. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 5: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. July 9, 2024. Pro Football Focus. July 9, 2024.
  49. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 7: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. July 23, 2024. Pro Football Focus. July 24, 2024.
  50. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 8: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. July 30, 2024. Pro Football Focus. July 30, 2024.
  51. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 9: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. August 6, 2024. Pro Football Focus. August 6, 2024.
  52. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 10: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. August 13, 2024. Pro Football Focus. August 13, 2024.
  53. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 11: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. August 20, 2024. Pro Football Focus. August 21, 2024.
  54. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 12: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. August 27, 2024. Pro Football Focus. August 28, 2024.
  55. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 13: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. September 4, 2024. Pro Football Focus. September 8, 2024.
  56. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 14: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. September 11, 2024. Pro Football Focus. September 13, 2024.
  57. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 15: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. September 17, 2024. Pro Football Focus. September 18, 2024.
  58. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 16: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. September 25, 2024. Pro Football Focus. September 26, 2024.
  59. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 17: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. October 2, 2024. Pro Football Focus. October 3, 2024.
  60. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 18: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. October 8, 2024. Pro Football Focus. October 8, 2024.
  61. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 19: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. October 16, 2024. Pro Football Focus. October 17, 2024.
  62. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 20: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. October 22, 2024. Pro Football Focus. October 23, 2024.
  63. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL Week 21: PFF Team of the Week & Player Awards. PFF.com. October 30, 2024. Pro Football Focus. October 31, 2024.
  64. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. CFL midseason All-Star Team and player awards: Vernon Adams Jr. leads Most Outstanding Player race, Tyrell Ford is Most Outstanding Defensive Player. PFF.com. August 22, 2024. Pro Football Focus. September 2, 2024.
  65. Web site: Vesnaver. Bryson. 2024 All-CFL Team and Season Awards. PFF.com. November 7, 2024. Pro Football Focus. November 8, 2024.
  66. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 1. 3downnation.com. June 11, 2024. 3DownNation. June 11, 2024.
  67. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 2. 3downnation.com. June 18, 2024. 3DownNation. June 18, 2024.
  68. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 3. 3downnation.com. June 25, 2024. 3DownNation. June 26, 2024.
  69. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 4. 3downnation.com. July 2, 2024. 3DownNation. July 3, 2024.
  70. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 5. 3downnation.com. July 9, 2024. 3DownNation. July 9, 2024.
  71. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 6. 3downnation.com. July 16, 2024. 3DownNation. July 16, 2024.
  72. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 7. 3downnation.com. July 23, 2024. 3DownNation. July 24, 2024.
  73. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 8. 3downnation.com. July 30, 2024. 3DownNation. July 30, 2024.
  74. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 9. 3downnation.com. August 6, 2024. 3DownNation. August 6, 2024.
  75. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 10. 3downnation.com. August 13, 2024. 3DownNation. August 13, 2024.
  76. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 11. 3downnation.com. August 20, 2024. 3DownNation. August 20, 2024.
  77. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 12. 3downnation.com. August 27, 2024. 3DownNation. August 27, 2024.
  78. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst from Labour Day Weekend. 3downnation.com. September 4, 2024. 3DownNation. September 8, 2024.
  79. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 14. 3downnation.com. September 10, 2024. 3DownNation. September 13, 2024.
  80. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 15. 3downnation.com. September 17, 2024. 3DownNation. September 18, 2024.
  81. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 16. 3downnation.com. September 24, 2024. 3DownNation. September 24, 2024.
  82. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 17. 3downnation.com. October 1, 2024. 3DownNation. October 1, 2024.
  83. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 18. 3downnation.com. October 8, 2024. 3DownNation. October 8, 2024.
  84. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 19. 3downnation.com. October 16, 2024. 3DownNation. October 17, 2024.
  85. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 20. 3downnation.com. October 22, 2024. 3DownNation. October 22, 2024.
  86. Web site: 3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 21. 3downnation.com. October 29, 2024. 3DownNation. October 29, 2024.
  87. Web site: 3DownNation's 2024 mid-season CFL award winners. 3downnation.com. August 14, 2024. 3DownNation. August 16, 2024.
  88. Web site: Best Of The Best: Oliveira, Mitchell lead 2024 All-CFL selections . . November 7, 2024.
  89. Web site: Harris and Mitchell headline 2024 Divisional All-CFL squads . . October 30, 2024.
  90. Web site: Mitchell, Oliveira headline 2024 CFL Award nominees . . October 31, 2024.
  91. Web site: Brady Oliveira owns the night at CFL awards . . November 15, 2024.