As I watch the early morning Calgary sun stream through my office window, I can’t help but reflect on the Stampeders’ playoff journey we’ve all just witnessed. Twenty years covering sports in this city gives you perspective on both triumph and heartbreak.
The Calgary Stampeders’ 2025 playoff run defied expectations but ultimately fell short of bringing the Grey Cup back to McMahon Stadium. After finishing the regular season with a surprising 11-7 record, the Stampeders entered the playoffs as underdogs – a position they seemed to relish.
“This team has developed a resilience unlike anything I’ve seen in my tenure,” head coach Dave Dickenson told me last week. “When backs are against the wall, that’s when our best football emerges.”
That resilience was on full display during their Western Semi-Final victory against Saskatchewan, where quarterback Jake Maier completed 22 of 28 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns in the 34-27 win. The defense, anchored by middle linebacker Jameer Thurman’s 11 tackles, contained Saskatchewan’s rushing attack to just 76 yards.
According to CFL statistics, the Stampeders converted an impressive 68% of their third-down attempts throughout the playoffs, significantly higher than their regular-season average of 52%. This clutch performance kept drives alive when it mattered most.
The Western Final against Winnipeg told a different story, however. Calgary’s offensive line struggled against the Blue Bombers’ defensive front, allowing six sacks and disrupting the rhythm that had carried them through the previous round. The final score – 28-17 – doesn’t reflect how competitive the contest remained until the fourth quarter.
Team captain Kamar Jorden didn’t mince words after the defeat. “We didn’t execute at critical moments. That’s the difference between championship teams and everyone else,” he explained during the somber post-game press conference. “Winnipeg capitalized on our mistakes, and we couldn’t return the favor.”
Calgary’s defense deserves credit for keeping the game within reach. They forced three turnovers and limited Winnipeg to just 298 yards of total offense. Unfortunately, the Stampeders’ offense couldn’t capitalize, going 0-for-3 in red zone opportunities.
According to data from the Canadian Football League, the Stampeders led all playoff teams in defensive stops but ranked last in red zone efficiency. This statistical contrast tells the story of their playoff exit better than any single play could.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek, who attended both playoff games, expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments despite the disappointing finish. “The Stampeders represented our city with determination and class,” she said during yesterday’s council meeting. “Their journey inspired many Calgarians during a challenging economic time.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the Stampeders face several roster decisions. Twelve starters become free agents this offseason, including All-Star receiver Reggie Begelton, who led the team with 1,096 receiving yards during the regular season.
General Manager John Hufnagel faces the delicate balancing act of maintaining roster continuity while addressing weaknesses exposed during the playoffs. The Stampeders’ aging offensive line surrendered 42 sacks during the regular season, a problem that became more pronounced against elite playoff competition.
Having covered this team through multiple cycles of rebuilding and championship contention, I’ve rarely seen a squad so well-positioned for future success despite playoff disappointment. The emergence of rookie running back Dedrick Mills, who averaged 5.4 yards per carry in the postseason, provides hope for a more balanced offensive attack next season.
The Stampeders’ financial situation remains solid according to league sources, with approximately $3.2 million in cap space available for the 2026 season. This flexibility should allow Hufnagel to address key areas of need while retaining core players.
Walking through the Stampeders’ training facility yesterday, I noticed the Grey Cup silhouettes on the wall – each representing a championship season. The space reserved for 2025 remains empty, but the foundation for filling it soon appears stronger than many predicted back in June.
As another football season fades into Calgary’s winter, Stampeders fans can find solace in knowing their team exceeded expectations and provided moments of genuine excitement. In sports, as in life, the journey often matters more than the destination – though I suspect few in the Stampeders organization would agree with that sentiment today.
The players have cleaned out their lockers. The coaches have begun their evaluations. And Calgary football fans have already started that familiar refrain: “Just wait until next year.”
