3DownNation CFL awards: the best and worst of Week 4

Photo: Raphael Williams-Claudio/RWC Photography/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

We’re coming off our first four-game, four-day week of action in the Canadian Football League, and it’s time to take one last look back at the week that was before focusing on what’s next.

These awards are selected by 3DownNation’s contributors and will be presented weekly throughout the 2026 season. Enjoy.

Offensive player of the week: REC Tyson Philpot, Montreal Alouettes

The native of Delta, B.C. gave Ottawa fits on Sunday night, making 12 catches for 198 yards as he continues to establish himself as Davis Alexander’s go-to target. Philpot is not only leading the CFL in receiving yardage through four games but he’s over 200 yards ahead of every other player in the league with 36 grabs for 587 yards and three touchdowns.

Honourable mention: QB Nathan Rourke, B.C. Lions

Defensive player of the week: DL Jordan Williams, Edmonton Elks

The six-foot-five, 285-pound defender was a game-wrecker against Winnipeg, repeatedly denting the pocket to force Zach Collaros to rush his throws or flee the pocket. He also made a bone-crushing hit on Brady Oliveira, causing a fumble that Edmonton returned 94 yards for a near-touchdown. Williams finished the game with one tackle, one sack, and one forced fumble.

Honourable mention: SAM Adarius Pickett, Toronto Argonauts

Special teams player of the week: KR Kalil Pimpleton, Ottawa Redblacks

The 27-year-old was electric against the Alouettes, returning four punts for 43 yards and five kickoffs for 243 yards and a touchdown (more on that in a moment). Pimpleton had three kickoff returns over 40 yards, all of which led to scores, helping kickstart a Redblacks attack that scored a season-high 35 points in Montreal. Several returners shone in Week 4 but Pimpleton was the best of the bunch.

Honourable mention: KR Tyreik McAllister, Calgary Stampeders

Breakout player of the week: REC Tyler Kahmann, Toronto Argonauts

The Emporia State product was previously a runner-up for this award but won it outright this week after making five catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns to help his team knock off the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Kahmann has now made 15 receptions for 237 yards and four scores through three career CFL games, developing quick chemistry with Chad Kelly.

Honourable mention: REC Jermaine Jackson, B.C. Lions

Offensive line of the week: Edmonton Elks

The unit of Brendan Bordner, Matt O’Donnell, David Beard, Cameron Carter, and Jordan Murray helped Justin Rankin secure his third-straight 100-yard rushing game and get off to the best start to a CFL season since Kory Sheets in 2013. Edmonton’s offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage consistently and didn’t allow any sacks, overcoming the noise at Princess Auto Stadium.

Honourable mention: Montreal Alouettes

Coach of the week: DC J.C. Sherritt, Edmonton Elks

The Elks were ready for Winnipeg’s offensive attack, limiting the team to 18 points and Brady Oliveira to 77 rushing yards in hostile territory. What made this game all the more impressive was Edmonton forcing four fumbles and recovering three of them, two of which led to scores from the offence. The Green and Gold defence leads the CFL in yards allowed per play, which is a big part of the reason they’re 3-0 for the first time since 2017.

Honourable mention: OC Anthony Calvillo, Montreal Alouettes

KALIL. PIMPLETON. KICK RETURN FOR A TOUCHDOWN‼️ pic.twitter.com/0veOJJLJZP

— Ottawa REDBLACKS (@REDBLACKS) June 29, 2026

Best play of the week: Kalil Pimpleton’s touchdown return

The Central Michigan product ripped off a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown in the final minute of Sunday’s game and it was truly spectacular. Pimpleton flowed with his blockers, then found a small seam to exploit up the middle of the field. He outran Tyrell Richards, got a great block from Aidan John, dodged a tackle from Arthur Hamlin, then did a jump-cut to get away from Micah Awe for the score. If you haven’t already seen the play, watch it. If you have, watch it again.

Honourable mention: Brady Oliveira’s touchdown catch

Worst play of the week: Mike Miller’s bewildering challenge

Early in the second quarter, the Argonauts failed to reach a first down on second-and-one. This left Mike Miller with three options: gamble, kick the field goal, or challenge the spot of the ball. The first option was probably the best, but Miller instead chose to challenge. This was essentially a wasted challenge, as the spot of the ball is almost never overturned. Instead of gambling after the challenge failed, Miller then opted to kick a 24-yard field goal, which was probably the second-worst decision.

Honourable mention: Tyrice Beverette’s late hit

Best game of the week: Toronto Argonauts at Saskatchewan Roughriders

Aside from Saskatchewan’s jerseys being impossible to read, this was a pretty great game. Chad Kelly and Trevor Harris pushed the ball down the field consistently and effectively, James Ceasar and Marcus Sayles made some impressive knockdowns, Janarion Grant had an incredible return, Andrew Chatfield Jr. laid a crushing blow, and Daniel Wiebe scored his first career touchdown in front of his hometown fans. This was a classic, wide open CFL game.

Honourable mention: Ottawa Redblacks at Montreal Alouettes

Worst game of the week: Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions

There were no bad games in Week 4 but one of them has to be named the worst. The Apple Bowl in Kelowna was an amazing atmosphere and looked sharp on television but the home team just wasn’t competitive enough to make this an interesting game down the stretch. Tyreik McAllister essentially ended it with a 90-yard punt return touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make the score 38-17.

Honourable mention: Edmonton Elks at Winnipeg Blue Bombers