‘See where it goes from here’: Riders react to CFL rule changes

Members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders didn’t oppose the CFL rule changes — but there are some questions that still need to be answered.

“I think it caught a lot of people pretty off guard. Definitely some big changes and kind of see where it goes from here,” said kicker Brett Lauther, who is also the first vice-president of the CFL Players’ Association.

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The league announced a number of rule changes that will come into effect over the next couple of years. Beginning in 2026, there will be modifications to the rouge as a single-point will no longer be awarded for a missed field goal, punt or kickoff is kicked through the back of the end zone without the returner having a chance to bring it out, the play clock will now be a constant 35-second timer, and opposing team’s benches will be on opposite sidelines.

In 2027, the goal posts will be moved to the back of the end zones, the field will be shortened to 100 yards, and end zones will be shrunk from 20 yards to 15.

Lauther stated the CFLPA wasn’t consulted about the changes but also noted this wasn’t something the CFL had to bring to them.

“I think maybe a lot of guys think (consultation) would have been nice as 25 per cent revenue partners to know a little bit more but at the end of the day, they don’t have to,” Lauther said. “They made the decision to make the changes they wanted and for us, especially as a vice-president, we are worried about player safety and growing revenue and if this does that, there’s not much we can complain about,” Lauther said.

For Lauther, he admits he was on the middle ground when it came to the changes.

“I thought there was some really good stuff that made sense and some other things that maybe you thought you would keep more Canadian and keep in the game but at the end of the day, you have to let them do their job and if it plays out and grows revenue and maybe they have a big TV deal in their pocket or something we don’t know about in the states that was behind this, who knows,” Lauther said. “It’s hard to give too much of an opinion yet, but big changes.”

Riders quarterback Trevor Harris thought there was “A bit of an overreaction by some people,” to the announced rule changes.

“It’s still three-downs, there’s still 12 people on the field, the field is still 65 yards wide, the end zone is still bigger than 10 yards, it’s still Canadian football. There’s still going to be onside punts and all the crazy players. It’s the same game,” Harris said. “The only thing that changes is field goal returns. The other return game hasn’t been affected. You’re always going to have kickoff returns, you’re still going to have the five-yard halo returns. The game has not changed.

“It’s still the Canadian Football League and we have nine Canadian teams in Canadian cities. We have smart people at the top that know what they are doing. We are employees. I wouldn’t tell an employer how to run their business or what to do. I’m just grateful to be in this league and have an opportunity to play in front of these fans and this country.

“I’m just grateful to be here and whatever the rules are, we should adjust to them and bend them to your advantage. I know there are probably some people upset, but it is what it is. We have people at the top making decisions and we have to trust they know what they are doing. I’m one of those people who trust them.”

Harris also added one of the things he still loves about the CFL is the final three minutes of games.

“I think the NFL should adopt what we do here. That last three minutes of a CFL game, there’s nothing like it in sports,” Harris said.

With the changes to the field length and goal posts, big questions now surround grassroots football programs. The Canadian Junior Football League, U Sports, high school and minor football will now have to decide if they will also change the dimensions of their fields and rules or not over the next few seasons.

Lauther, who is from Truro, N.S., admitted the first question he had was how this would affect Canadian kids.

“I mentioned right away no one is ever going to play the CFL game until they get to the CFL now. There’s no one in Canada, in the States, in Europe who is going to play this game until they get to this league and this set of rules,” Lauther said. “The first thing I asked was what is Calgary or McGill or B.C. — what are they going to do? It kind of sucks because the Rams may never play in (Mosaic Stadium) again. It sucks with those things. They could change but I don’t see how you just change every field in Canada. It’s a lot of taxpayer money.”

For now, the Riders’ main focus is on heading to Edmonton this week and beating the Elks on Saturday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5 p.m.