2023 CFL season
The 2023 CFL season was the 69th season of modern professional Canadian football. Officially, it was the 65th season of the Canadian Football League. Hamilton hosted the 110th Grey Cup on November 19, 2023. The regular season began on June 8, and ended on October 28, with 18 games played per team over 21 weeks.
League business
Salary cap
According to the new collective bargaining agreement, the 2023 salary cap is set at $5,450,000 As per the agreement, the cap is fixed and will not vary with league revenue performance until 2024. The minimum player salary is set at $70,000.Starter ratio
Beginning this season, teams are required to start eight National players as opposed to just seven in years prior. However, one of those players can be a "Nationalized American" player that has spent three years with the same team or five years in the CFL. Originally, the league was planning to allow teams to also have one more Nationalized American on offence and one on defence substitute up to 49% of the snaps for a National player; however, this was later changed as the total number of snaps in game cannot be accurately determined during a game. Instead, teams must indicate the designated Nationalized Americans and the designated Nationals that that player may replace for a maximum of 23 plays.Scheduling
During his commissioner's state of the league address on November 18, 2022, Randy Ambrosie announced that the playoff games would be moved from Sundays to Saturdays, while the 110th Grey Cup game would remain on Sunday. They will be the first playoff games on Saturdays since the 2008 CFL season. The Touchdown Atlantic series continued with the Toronto Argonauts hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Huskies Stadium in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Saturday, July 29. This was the first regular season game held in Halifax after the city hosted a pre-season match in 2005.In the most recent collective bargaining agreement, the league had the option of moving this season's schedule by up to 30 days earlier. However, the league decided to keep the dates consistent with previous years when the 2023 schedule was released on December 13, 2022, with the season opening game on June 8.
Partnership with Genius Sports
During the off-season the league and Genius Sports launched a new fantasy platform called 'CFL Gamezone'. In May 2023, before the pre-season, the CFL announced that it would be transitioning its stats tracking platform from New Jersey–based firm SharpHat to Genius Sports, called 'CFL LiveStats'. As the league schedule moved through the pre-season and into the regular season, the launch of the new stat tracking platform was delayed. There was no live data during games, player profiles were blank, and season/game stats were only available for download as a PDF file type. On June 22, 2023, Commissioner Randy Ambrosie addressed this issue asking for patience from fans as the league transitions. The state of the stat tracking platform and the commissioner's response were criticized by fans and the media. As of late July 2023, CFL LiveStats was not operational.Rule changes
On May 8, the league announced a series of minor rule changes which focused on improving "health and safety and to making refinements to certain nuances in the game."- The requirement for the ball to be touched prior to ruling a rouge on a kickoff has been removed
- A safety has been added to the options for a holding penalty in the team’s own goal area
- The defensive formation has been restricted on kick plays
- Avoidable contact with an official
- Move the drive start position up five yards in additional scenarios
- Teams cannot have two players wearing 0 and 00
Health and safety
On May 16, the league announced new health and safety measures:- Guardian caps – defensive linemen, running backs and linebackers will be required to wear a guardian cap during training camps and contact practices during the regular season.
- Medical tents – teams will have collapsible medical tents on the sidelines to allow players to be medically assessed during the game.
- Pre-game medical meeting – medical personnel, security, venue staff, and game presentation departments will have a meeting before each game to align on the medical processes should there be any issues during the game.
- Medical staff training – staff from all nine clubs gathered in the off-season to complete additional advanced professional development courses.
- Research – the league is continuing to partner with universities across the country to better understand equipment and technologies in the prevention and rehabilitation of injuries.
Player movement
Free agency
The 2023 free agency period officially began on February 14 at noon ET. Pending free agents and teams were able to negotiate offers for one week starting February 5 and ending February 12. All formal offers to a player during this time were sent to both the league and the players union and could not be rescinded.Regular season
Standings
The top three teams in each division advance to the playoffs, with the division winners receiving a bye to the division finals and home-field advantage for the game. The second and third place teams in each division will compete in a division semi-final to advance to the division final with the 2nd place teams in each division receiving home-field advantage. The CFL additionally employs a "crossover rule" where, if the fourth place team in one division has a better record than the third place team in the other division, the former qualifies for the playoffs, while the latter does not.Postseason
The Grey Cup was played at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario, on November 19. The Montreal Alouettes upset the favoured Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28–24, to win their first Grey Cup since 2010.Playoff bracket
Broadcasting
The CFL continued to be broadcast on TSN and RDS across all platforms in Canada as part of their current contract. The broadcast rights were reported to have been extended through 2025. In late April, the CFL announced a new partnership with CBS Sports Network, who would broadcast 34 games in the United States. The deal was reportedly worth $1 million per year, with each team receiving around $100,000 in compensation. The deal replaced the former partnership with ESPN. The CFL livestreamed all games in the United States not broadcast by CBS on their own platform, dubbed CFL+, for free. A small number of preseason games were broadcast on TSN and RDS; the remainder of the normally un-broadcast preseason games were shown for free on a league-operated streaming platform called CFL Preseason Live.Award winners
CFL Honour Roll
| Month | Quarterback | Running Back | Receiver | Offensive Lineman | Defensive Lineman | Linebacker | Defensive Back | Kicker/Punter | Safety | Offensive Line |
| June | Zach Collaros | A.J. Ouellette | Kaion Julien-Grant | Landon Rice | Anthony Lanier II | Douglas Coleman III | Robertson Daniel | Sean Whyte | Tyrell Richards | Toronto Argonauts |
| July | Dane Evans | James Butler | Reggie Begelton | Brandon Revenberg | Mustafa Johnson | Bo Lokombo | Garry Peters | René Paredes | Adarius Pickett | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| August | Tre Ford | A.J. Ouellette | DaVaris Daniels | Brandon Revenberg | Anthony Lanier II | Tyrell Richards | Marc-Antoine Dequoy | Brett Lauther | Gary Johnson Jr. | Edmonton Elks |
| September | Vernon Adams | Devonte Williams | Justin McInnis | Peter Nicastro | Christian Albright | Cameron Judge | Marc-Antoine Dequoy | Cody Grace | Tanner Green | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| October | Chad Kelly | Brady Oliveira | Kenny Lawler | Brett Boyko | Mustafa Johnson | Cameron Judge | Mason Pierce | Sean Whyte | Adarius Taylor | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
Pro Football Focus
| Award | Winner | Honourable Mentions |
| Most Outstanding Player | Zach Collaros | Chad Kelly A.J. Ouellette Garry Peters |
| Most Outstanding Rookie | Dustin Crum | Austin Mack Taquan Mizzell Kordell Rodgers |
| Most Outstanding Canadian | Brady Oliveira | Landon Rice Alonzo Addae Mathieu Betts |
| Most Outstanding Defensive Player | Garry Peters | Robertson Daniel Mike Rose Willie Jefferson |
| Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman | Landon Rice | Pier-Olivier Lestage Dejon Allen Brandon Revenberg |
| John Agro Special Teams Award | Javon Leake | René Paredes Lewis Ward Kene Onyeka |
| Annis Stukus Trophy | Ryan Dinwiddie | Rick Campbell Jason Maas Mike O'Shea |
| Award | Winner | Honourable Mention |
| Most Outstanding Player | Chad Kelly | Vernon Adams Brady Oliveira |
| Most Outstanding Offensive Player | Brady Oliveira | Vernon Adams A.J. Ouellette |
| Most Outstanding Defensive Player | Marc-Antoine Dequoy | Mathieu Betts Mustafa Johnson |
| Most Outstanding Offensive Rookie | Austin Mack | Dustin Crum Taquan Mizzell |
| Most Outstanding Defensive Rookie | Reggie Stubblefield | Qwan'tez Stiggers Mason Pierce |
| Comeback Player of the Year | Peter Nicastro | Tre Roberson Kyrie Wilson |
| Breakout Player of the Year | Samuel Emilus | Stavros Katsantonis Bryce Carter |
| Most Outstanding Receiver | Dalton Schoen | Keon Hatcher Reggie Begelton |
| Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman | Brandon Revenberg | Jermarcus Hardrick Nick Callender |
| Most Outstanding Pass-Blocker | Dejon Allen | David Beard Peter Godber |
| Most Outstanding Run-Blocker | Pier-Olivier Lestage | Brandon Revenberg Martez Ivey |
| Most Outstanding Pass-Rusher | Mathieu Betts | Mustafa Johnson Folarin Orimolade |
| Most Outstanding Run Defender | Jovan Santos-Knox | Casey Sayles Larry Dean |
| Most Outstanding Coverage Defender | Garry Peters | Richard Leonard Reggie Stubblefield |
| Most Outstanding Special Teams Player | Carthell Flowers-Lloyd | Sean Whyte Tyrice Beverette |
3DownNation
| Award | Winner | Runner-ups |
| Most Outstanding Player | Chad Kelly | Zach Collaros Vernon Adams |
| Most Outstanding Defensive Player | Mathieu Betts | Garry Peters Robertson Daniel |
| Most Outstanding Canadian | Mathieu Betts | Brady Oliveira Nic Demski |
| Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman | Landon Rice | Jarell Broxton Ryan Hunter |
| Most Outstanding Rookie | Dustin Crum | Qwan'tez Stiggers Tyreik McAllister |
| Most Outstanding Special Teams Player | Javon Leake | Mario Alford Carthell Flowers-Lloyd |
| Coach of the Year | Ryan Dinwiddie | Rick Campbell Mike O'Shea |
2023 CFL all-star teams
2023 CFL All-Stars
Offence
- QB – Chad Kelly, Toronto Argonauts
- RB – Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- R – Dalton Schoen, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- R – Tim White, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- R – Keon Hatcher, BC Lions
- R – Austin Mack, Montreal Alouettes
- R – Reggie Begelton, Calgary Stampeders
- OT – Dejon Allen, Toronto Argonauts
- OT – Jermarcus Hardrick, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- OG – Ryan Hunter, Toronto Argonauts
- OG – Patrick Neufeld, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- C – Darius Ciraco, Toronto Argonauts
Defence
- DT – Casey Sayles, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- DT – Mike Rose, Calgary Stampeders
- DE – Mathieu Betts, BC Lions
- DE – Willie Jefferson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- LB – Wynton McManis, Toronto Argonauts
- LB – Micah Awe, Calgary Stampeders
- CLB – Adarius Pickett, Toronto Argonauts
- CB – Demerio Houston, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- CB – Garry Peters, BC Lions
- HB – Robertson Daniel, Toronto Argonauts
- HB – T.J. Lee, BC Lions
- S – Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Montreal Alouettes
Special teams
- K – Sean Whyte, BC Lions
- P – Richie Leone, Ottawa Redblacks
- ST – Javon Leake, Toronto Argonauts
2023 CFL Western All-Stars
Offence
- QB – Zach Collaros, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- RB – Brady Oliveira, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- R – Dalton Schoen, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- R – Keon Hatcher, BC Lions
- R – Reggie Begelton, Calgary Stampeders
- R – Alexander Hollins, BC Lions
- R – Nic Demski, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- OT – Jermarcus Hardrick, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- OT – Stanley Bryant, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- OG – Patrick Neufeld, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- OG – Sukh Chungh, BC Lions
- C – Sean McEwen, Calgary Stampeders
Defence
- DT – Mike Rose, Calgary Stampeders
- DT – Woody Baron, BC Lions
- DE – Mathieu Betts, BC Lions
- DE – Willie Jefferson, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- LB – Micah Awe, Calgary Stampeders
- LB – Larry Dean, Saskatchewan Roughriders
- CLB – Emmanuel Rugamba, BC Lions
- CB – Demerio Houston, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- CB – Garry Peters, BC Lions
- HB – T.J. Lee, BC Lions
- HB – Evan Holm, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- S – Brandon Alexander, Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Special teams
- K – Sean Whyte, BC Lions
- P – Adam Korsak, Saskatchewan Roughriders
- ST – Mario Alford, Saskatchewan Roughriders
2023 CFL Eastern All-Stars
Offence
- QB – Chad Kelly, Toronto Argonauts
- RB – A.J. Ouellette, Toronto Argonauts
- R – DaVaris Daniels, Toronto Argonauts
- R – Austin Mack, Montreal Alouettes
- R – Tim White, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- R – Damonte Coxie, Toronto Argonauts
- R – Justin Hardy, Ottawa Redblacks
- OT – Dejon Allen, Toronto Argonauts
- OT – Nick Callender, Montreal Alouettes
- OG – Brandon Revenberg, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- OG – Ryan Hunter, Toronto Argonauts
- C – Darius Ciraco, Toronto Argonauts
Defence
- DT – Casey Sayles, Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- DT – Mustafa Johnson, Montreal Alouettes
- DE – Folarin Orimolade, Toronto Argonauts
- DE – Bryce Carter, Ottawa Redblacks
- LB – Wynton McManis, Toronto Argonauts
- LB – Tyrice Beverette, Montreal Alouettes
- CLB – Adarius Pickett, Toronto Argonauts
- CB – Qwan'tez Stiggers, Toronto Argonauts
- CB – Brandin Dandridge, Ottawa Redblacks
- HB – Robertson Daniel, Toronto Argonauts
- HB – Wesley Sutton, Montreal Alouettes
- S – Marc-Antoine Dequoy, Montreal Alouettes
Special teams
- K – Boris Bede, Toronto Argonauts
- P – Richie Leone, Ottawa Redblacks
- ST – Javon Leake, Toronto Argonauts
2023 CFL awards
- Tom Pate Memorial Award – Brett Lauther, Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Jake Gaudaur Veterans' Trophy – Brayden Lenius, Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Commissioner's Award – Bob Young, Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner
- Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award – George Hopkins, Calgary Stampeders equipment manager
- Jane Mawby Tribute Award - Laurence Pontbriand, League Office's Senior Manager of Football & Officiating Development