The Canadian Football League offseason took on added significance this week as the Edmonton Elks confirmed the retirement of linebacker Josiah Schakel, a local product whose departure underscores the uncertainty surrounding the club ahead of the 2026 season.
Schakel, 26, announced his decision on January 13, bringing an early close to a four-year CFL career that included stops with the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton. In a brief message reflecting on his journey, the Sherwood Park native described playing in the league as a childhood dream fulfilled and said stepping away was a family-driven decision. He added that football would “always be part of my life,” noting plans to stay involved at the community level.
Drafted in the second round in 2022 by Calgary, Schakel dressed for seven games as a rookie before being released the following season. He resurfaced in Edmonton in 2023, carving out a role primarily on special teams. Over 46 regular-season games, he recorded 29 special teams tackles and two defensive tackles, including 15 appearances in 2025. While his numbers were modest, teammates and staff viewed him as a reliable contributor and steady locker-room presence.
Edmonton and League Face Bigger Questions
Schakel’s exit comes as Edmonton attempts to reset after another difficult year. The Elks finished the 2025 season 7–11, placing fifth in the West Division and extending their playoff drought to five consecutive seasons. A midyear quarterback change offered some stability, with Cody Fajardo starting the final 13 games and throwing for more than 3,400 yards, while Tre Ford opened the year as the starter. Still, the club ranked near the bottom of the league in both net offence and net defence, and attendance fell to an average of just over 19,000 fans per game.
On defence, Schakel’s retirement follows the trade of linebacker Nyles Morgan to Ottawa, leaving head coach Mark Kilam to lean heavily on Joel Dublanko as the unit’s on-field leader. Analysts have pointed to that decision as one of the organization’s defining gambles this offseason, particularly with questions lingering about the future of defensive tackle Jake Ceresna.
Across the league, similar uncertainty is playing out. The BC Lions are building around quarterback Nathan Rourke, while the Saskatchewan Roughriders face the challenge of defending a Grey Cup title after re-signing veterans like Trevor Harris. In Ottawa, the Ottawa Redblacks reshaped their linebacker group, parting ways with Adarius Pickett shortly after acquiring Morgan, as head coach and GM Ryan Dinwiddie weighs schematic changes.
Other moves have added to the churn: the Lions signed defensive lineman Casey Sayles, Hamilton added Chris Kolankowski, and former Tiger-Cats standout Devin Veresuk earned an NFL opportunity with the Indianapolis Colts.
For Edmonton, Schakel’s retirement serves as both a personal milestone and a symbol of transition. A player who once lifted the Presidents’ Trophy as U Sports’ top defender with the Alberta Golden Bears now steps away as the Elks search for stability and leadership. As winter meetings approach and rosters continue to shift, the club’s next chapter—like much of the CFL—remains unsettled, with answers likely to emerge only once the 2026 season kicks off.
