The Edmonton Elks are set to sign offensive lineman David Beard to a two-year contract through the 2026 season once free agency starts next Tuesday according to 3DownNation writer Justin Dunk.
David Beard is six foot five and weighs 320 pounds. The 31-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alberta, started 18 games for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2024. In 2024, Hamilton averaged 27.5 points per game, 406.1 net offense per game, 86.6 rushing yards per game, 332.1 passing yards per game, and allowed 30 sacks finishing 7-11 for the season.
The Edmonton Eskimos drafted Beard in the second round (16th pick) in the 2015 CFL Draft from Alberta. In his rookie year, he played nine games, helping Edmonton win the 2015 Grey Cup title over the Ottawa Redblacks 26-20.
Beard spent his entire seven-year career with the Eskimos/Elks playing 94 games. He was unanimously voted the Eskimos’ most outstanding offensive lineman in 2019.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats acquired Beard in a trade along with a 2023 second-round pick from the Edmonton Elks on September 2, 2022, for Jesse Gibbon. Beard played seven games for the Ticats in 2022. He re-signed with the Ticats on May 17, 2023.
In 2023, Hamilton’s offense finished seventh in points per game (22.7), fifth in offensive points per game (20.9), fifth in offensive touchdowns (35), fourth in net offense per game (352.0), seventh in rushing yards per game (96.7), and four in sacks allowed (46).
Collegiately, Beard played four seasons at the University of Alberta (2011-14) playing two seasons as a defensive lineman before moving to offensive lineman. He made 39 tackles (30 solos, 9 assists), one tackle for loss, one sack, two pass breakups, two catches for 31 yards, and one touchdown in 28 games for the Pandas. In 2014, Alberta averaged 28.67 points per game, 158.8 rushing yards per game, 295.67 passing yards per game, 441.2 total yards per game, 30 touchdowns, and allowed 18 sacks finishing 3-6 for the season.
