Elks optimistic about 2nd season under Jones, despite losing record

The Edmonton Elks have gone two seasons without winning a home game. They finished the 2022 CFL campaign with a 4-14 record, on the heels of a 3-11 record in 2021.

But, as the players cleared out of the locker room at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, the overriding feeling was one of optimism.

Wait. Optimism? Can that be right?

Chris Jones, who led this franchise to a Grey Cup in 2015, was brought back to Edmonton before the 2022 season. As coach and general manager, his job is to right the ship. This was Year 1 of the process. And the players believe the second year of the Jones 2.0 era will be the one that pays off.

"This has a similar feeling to when I was in B.C last year," said linebacker Adam Konar, who spent the 2021 season with the 5-9 Lions, who have established themselves as contenders in 2022.

"I feel like we do have a lot of good pieces in place. The first year with a new team, it's tough, everyone's just getting to know each other and trying to figure out each other and everything like that. It takes a while to mesh. So, I feel super optimistic, especially if we get some guys healthy next year."

One of the bright spots was the play of lineman Jake Ceresna, who recorded 10 sacks and four forced fumbles in 12 games this season. While he's not signed for next season, he said the talks with the team have already begun, and he believes in what is being built in Edmonton.

"It's a little different, I believe in coach Jones and what he's building here, and I think we are going to be very successful next year," said Ceresna. "It's just a matter of going out and doing it, and taking action.

"[Jones] is a Grey Cup champion and he won here in 2015. He's done it before. I have a lot of confidence that he can turn this