Edmonton Elks make big splash on second day of CFL free agency
Posted February 12, 2025 3:46 pm.
The Edmonton Elks made a huge splash on the second day of CFL free agency.
Edmonton announced Wednesday that it had signed five CFL veterans: defensive back Tyrell Ford, defensive linemen Jake Ceresna, Robbie Smith and Jared Brinkman, and offensive lineman David Beard. Ford, Smith, and Beard are all Canadian.
The moves are significant for a franchise that has not made the CFL playoffs since 2019.
Ford reunites with his twin brother, Tre — Edmonton’s starting quarterback — after the two played together at the University of Waterloo. Tyrell Ford had 51 tackles and seven interceptions — one off the league lead — last season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Ceresna returns to Edmonton after helping Toronto win a Grey Cup last season. The six-foot-four 295-pound Ceresna spent four seasons with the Elks (2018, 2021-23) before being dealt to the Argonauts.
Ceresna was a CFL all-star for the second time last year after finishing in a five-way tie for the league lead in sacks (eight).
Beard also rejoins the Elks following two-plus seasons with Hamilton. The Albertan spent his first seven CFL campaigns with Edmonton (2015-19, 21-22), winning a Grey Cup as a rookie, before being traded to the Tiger-Cats in September 2022.
Smith heads to Edmonton following five seasons in Toronto. The six-foot-one, 245-pound Brampton, Ont., native’s blocked field goal preserved the Argos’ 2022 Grey Cup win over Winnipeg and he’s recorded 126 tackles and 20 sacks over 72 career CFL contests.
Brinkman recorded 31 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble in 22 regular-season games over three seasons with Toronto. Edmonton also re-signed defensive lineman Sam Acheampong but released J-Min Pelley, both Canadians.
