Coach O’Shea spoke to the media after the first preseason game on May 23, 2026.
Overall game performance
O’Shea said the team “battled hard” physically and showed excellent compete level despite coming straight off training camp with very little rest. While the win didn’t happen, he was pleased with the large number of valuable reps given to players and felt the staff saw plenty of positive things they liked, along with the usual areas that need correction. He emphasized that this exhibition was primarily about evaluation rather than the result.
New play-clock rules
The coach noted the 35-second play clock feels quicker in certain situations and players initially felt a bit rushed, but he expects them to adapt quickly. He also pointed out that trying to review video on an iPad and make a challenge decision that fast will be “next to impossible,” which he believes is exactly what the CFL wants (fewer challenges).
Quarterback play
Zach Collaros: Only played briefly but “operated extremely well,” made good decisions, and scored. He was visibly upset when taken out because he wants every snap. Tim White stood out positively on his drive.
Taylor Elgma: Showed decent command of the playbook and CFL defenses, looked pro, and was aggressive about making plays. O’Shea said he sometimes needs to slow down and accept a simple first-down completion, but those are things Elgma already knows. The coach called the reps “very important” for him and noted Elgma was unhappy with his performance but should actually be excited about his progress.
Bryce Perkins: Very mobile and showed promise, but he’s brand new to the CFL (only about 12 days in). O’Shea said some reads were “cloudy” for him because he’s still learning the 12-man concepts, and those will clear up with more time.
Terry Wilson’s departure
O’Shea confirmed he had a calm, decent-length conversation with Wilson, who simply felt it was time for him to move on. The coach described the decision as last-minute but not rash — something that had been building in Wilson’s mind over time.
Next steps
The coaching staff will spend the morning reviewing film (and continue watching on the flight home), hold position meetings across all three phases, then go over the film with the players in the afternoon to make corrections and move forward. O’Shea said they’ll digest the tape before deciding whether they need to bring in another quarterback. He also singled out Jacobe Clinton’s spectacular interception as one of several standout individual plays.
In short, O’Shea came away encouraged by the effort and the evaluation opportunities, even in a loss, and views the game as a useful step in preparing for the regular season.