Edmonton Elks agree to terms with former Riders defensive lineman Malik Carney: sources

Photo courtesy: Arthur Ward/CFL.

The Edmonton Elks have agreed to terms with American defensive lineman Malik Carney, per sources. Barring anything unforeseen, he’s expected to sign with the team.

The 30-year-old was 3DownNation’s top ranked pass rusher who made it to the communication window.

Carney earned $178,400 last season, which put him among the top-15 highest-paid players at his position in the CFL. He recorded a single-season career-high eight sacks along with 39 tackles and one forced fumble in 18 regular-season games plus added five tackles, two for loss, in Saskatchewan’s West Final and Grey Cup wins.

The six-foot-three, 230-pound defensive end has played five years in the CFL. He’s registered 146 defensive tackles, 25 sacks, five special teams stops, four forced fumbles, and one interception in 72 career regular season games.

Prior to signing in the CFL, Carney spent time with the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. He earned $115,00 USD over one season in the NFL.

Collegiately, Carney spent four seasons at the University of North Carolina, playing in 36 games for the Tar Heels. He registered 176 total tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback sacks, five forced fumbles, four pass knockdowns, and three fumble recoveries — returning one for a touchdown.

Edmonton general manager Ed Hervey knows Carney from time spent together with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2022 and 2023 when he was the team’s assistant GM. Senior assistant general manager and player personnel director, Spencer Zimmerman spent the same two years in the Steel City with Hervey and Carney.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise, however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

Edmonton Elks finished fifth in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 7-11 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season. Cody Fajardo started the team’s final 13 regular-season games and went 6-7, throwing for 3,408 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Tre Ford started the first five, going 1-4, and threw for 984 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.

The Elks ranked ninth in net offence, ninth in net defence, and fifth with a turnover differential of plus-four. The club’s leading rusher was Justin Rankin with 1,013 yards, the leading receiver was Kaion Julien-Grant with 820 yards, and the leading tackler was Joel Dublanko with 80 tackles. Edmonton finished seventh in attendance with average crowds of 19,050, which was a 7.1 percent decrease from the previous year.