Global Draft

[Jesse]

They should expand the roster by 2.  1 Current year GBL DP, and one Current year NAT DP.  Would add only a tiny amount to the payroll (both would be ELC) yet give these fringe players with upside a chance to develop a year, and be valuable backups / ST contributors.

As far as I understand it, they have raised the roster by two. There are 2 additional inactive roster players who are paid but ineligible to play.

[Blue In BC]

As far as I understand it, they have raised the roster by two. There are 2 additional inactive roster players who are paid but ineligible to play.

When did they do that? News to me. What is the point of having them inactive if they receiver full pay checks?

[Jesse]

When did they do that? News to me. What is the point of having them inactive if they receiver full pay checks?

The point is to have to more people paid. It's something the union fought for. Let me see if I can find the article. It's was on 3down as a part of what the union got out of these play-off changes.

[Jesse]

tarting immediately, each franchise will have the ability to designate up to two players on a reserve roster each week with no changes to the ratio or roster composition, creating 18 additional fully-paid jobs. Practice roster sizes have been increased by two, with a Canadian filling one of those new spots. Also, language has been cleaned up when it comes to the injured lists, marketing money, and Nationalized Americans.

https://3downnation.com/2026/04/30/cfl-players-association-record-wins-through-2027-grey-cup-playoff-expansion/

There's actually a lot in this article about new money and positions for players. It seems like the players made a lot of gains this year.

[Blue In BC]

I found this but it's still a little confusing. PR used to be 12 and is now 14? Plus 2 new reserve spots. That sounds like 15 not 18 counting PR and reserve.

For the 2026 CFL season, teams have a 45-man active game roster, featuring a mix of American, National, and Global players, with an additional 18 paid jobs created through two new reserve roster spots per team. Practice rosters have also increased by two spots.

It still doesn't answer why " reserve " spots are paid but not dressed. The ratio or reserve is not specifically addressed which MIGHT prevent them from dressing.

MORE:


Active Gameday Roster: 45 players.
Reserve Roster: Each franchise can now designate up to two players to a reserve roster weekly, adding jobs while maintaining ratio integrity.
Practice Roster: Expanded by two spots, with one of the new spots designated for a Canadian.
Roster Composition: Max 19 Americans (excluding QBs), min 21 Nationals, min 1 Global.

That only adds up to 44 not 45.

[Jesse]

I wonder if that part's a typo and it was supposed to read 16. Unless there's two other spots not mentioned that we're forgetting.

[Blue In BC]

I wonder if that part's a typo and it was supposed to read 16. Unless there's two other spots not mentioned that we're forgetting.

Might be that. I don't mind the extra PR spots but it looks like only 1 is Canadian which would make the other an import.

PR spots still cost about $1K per week. That's $36K for the season. 2 inactive players on ELC's @$75K each is $150K.

All in all that's $200K for players not dressing as an increase. It also absorbs a significant portion of the $400K SMS increase.

Noting that I said last year, the best thing to do would be increase the roster size. I didn't mean to make them inactive.

Hmmm. Now I'm wondering WHEN that roster size changed? Was it before or after teams spent it all in free agency?  That could create a problem.

[Jesse]

Might be that. I don't mind the extra PR spots but it looks like only 1 is Canadian which would make the other an import.

PR spots still cost about $1K per week. That's $36K for the season. 2 inactive players on ELC's @$75K each is $150K.

All in all that's $200K for players not dressing as an increase. It also absorbs a significant portion of the $400K SMS increase.

Noting that I said last year, the best thing to do would be increase the roster size. I didn't mean to make them inactive.

Hmmm. Now I'm wondering WHEN that roster size changed? Was it before or after teams spent it all in free agency?  That could create a problem.

The article talked about the ongoing process. I'm sure teams knew it was in the cards.

[Stats Junkie]

I interpret the 18 extra fully-Paid jobs as 2 reserve list players per team x 9 CFL teams.

It looks like there is an extra PR spot this season. In 2025 it was 13 PR spots (10 + 3 globals).

I see the reserve list as a way to deal with GTD situations. The CFL did away with the reserve list a while back when it relaxed the rules surrounding emergency replacements on game day. In 2025, teams could make changes to the 45 man roster up to 30 minutes before game time. The stipulation was replacement players had to come from the practice roster or be signed as a street free agent. Players stashed on the 1-game injured list were not eligible.

I see this as creating a spot for 2 players who were likely going to be stashed on the 1-game list anyway, to be eligible to substitute for  GTD player.

[Jesse]

I interpret the 18 extra fully-Paid jobs as 2 reserve list players per team x 9 CFL teams.

It looks like there is an extra PR spot this season. In 2025 it was 13 PR spots (10 + 3 globals).

I see the reserve list as a way to deal with GTD situations. The CFL did away with the reserve list a while back when it relaxed the rules surrounding emergency replacements on game day. In 2025, teams could make changes to the 45 man roster up to 30 minutes before game time. The stipulation was replacement players had to come from the practice roster or be signed as a street free agent. Players stashed on the 1-game injured list were not eligible.

I see this as creating a spot for 2 players who were likely going to be stashed on the 1-game list anyway, to be eligible to substitute for  GTD player.

This makes way more sense, lol.

Thanks junkie.

[Blue In BC]

I interpret the 18 extra fully-Paid jobs as 2 reserve list players per team x 9 CFL teams.

It looks like there is an extra PR spot this season. In 2025 it was 13 PR spots (10 + 3 globals).

I see the reserve list as a way to deal with GTD situations. The CFL did away with the reserve list a while back when it relaxed the rules surrounding emergency replacements on game day. In 2025, teams could make changes to the 45 man roster up to 30 minutes before game time. The stipulation was replacement players had to come from the practice roster or be signed as a street free agent. Players stashed on the 1-game injured list were not eligible.

I see this as creating a spot for 2 players who were likely going to be stashed on the 1-game list anyway, to be eligible to substitute for  GTD player.

Smart man.

[gobombersgo]

That only adds up to 44 not 45.

The official game day roster size is 44. Teams can add an extra Canadian or Global player however.

If that 2nd Global sees the field on offence or defence he would need to replace an American or injured National.

[theaardvark]

I guess the Inactive Roster spot becomes the new "fake IR" allocation.

So now teams can job the system without jobbing the system.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I guess the Inactive Roster spot becomes the new "fake IR" allocation.

So now teams can job the system without jobbing the system.

I guess so. It gives teams the option. I would rather we just expand the game day roster by two so we're not swapping offensive lineman for defensive lineman and the reverse a few times a season but whatever. Bigger rosters would directly relate to a better on field product.

[gobombersgo]

I guess the Inactive Roster spot becomes the new "fake IR" allocation.

So now teams can job the system without jobbing the system.

But, like Stats Junkie pointed out, these 2 players would be eligible to be a last minute replacement on game day.