EDMONTON — Tre Ford began the 2023 CFL season carrying a clipboard. After taking over as the starting quarterback midway through the Edmonton Elks' season, he became the team’s brightest star in an otherwise dismal 4-14 campaign.
But despite his solid second half, Elks coach and general manager Chris Jones said Ford is not a lock to be the opening day starter in 2024. Ford will have to battle Taylor Cornelius — who began the season as the Elks’ starter — and Jarret Doege for the job.
"Tre’s a good player," Jones said Monday as the Elks cleared out their lockers at Commonwealth Stadium. "But he’s going to have to come back and compete for a job just like everybody else. He’ll come in as our No. 1, but Taylor Cornelius is a good player also.
"And I feel like we don’t just have two good quarterbacks, I feel like we have a third. I think Doege’s a good little quarterback. Everything’s a competition in pro competition, and it will be square one when we come back."
Ford led the Elks to all four of their wins this season. His ability to scramble and evade pass rushers led to some highlight-reel runs and passes.
In half a season, he threw for 2,069 yards and ran for 622 more. He connected on 12 touchdown passes and ran three in himself.
Ford said he always prepares like he’s going to be the starter - no matter the situation - and understands that nothing is handed to him.
"I prepared this year like I was going to win the starting job in Week 1," he said. "I’m always going to prepare to be the starter regardless if I’m the starter or not. I feel that’s the best way to prepare, so you don’t get caught lacking when your name is called.
"I think that’s the way it’s always going to be. You’ve got to perform — even though you know you are the guy, you can’t afford to have off days, let alone off weeks."
There were a lot of off weeks for the Elks, a team that opened the season with nine straight losses. Kevin Brown, who sits second in the CFL rushing race with 1,141 yards, was one of the few bright spots.
Jones, who led the Elks to the Grey Cup in 2015, was brought back to the club ahead of the 2022 season. The team has yet to move the needle since his return despite bringing in big-name free agents like defensive back Ed Gainey and receivers Geno Lewis, Steven Dunbar Jr. and Kyran Moore.
Lewis, who only played 12 games because of injuries, had 844 yards receiving this year and made no secret he wants to be targeted more in 2024.
"Sometimes when you’re a receiver and you do get frustrated because you want the ball more, you have conversations with people because you want things to get better," he said. "It’s not about the receiver being selfish, it’s about 'I’m trying to win.'"
This year, the strategy won’t be to go out and spend again. The core of the team, like Ford, is young.
"There won’t be very much change," said Jones. "We’re a lot closer than we were a year ago."
Of course, Jones will need to tweak the roster, but he said fans will need to be patient.
“I think a lot of it is going to have to wait into the next calendar year," he said. "We’re going to look at everything and see who is available. We’re not going to be nearly as aggressive in free agency as what we’ve been in the past two years.
"We’re looking at more continuity on our roster."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2023.
Steven Sandor, The Canadian Press
