Riders clear out locker room after championship 2025 season

Despite the Saskatchewan Roughriders winning the 2025 Grey Cup, this garbage bag day doesn’t feel much different from other ones.

“I expected it to feel different — I expected it to feel more jubilant, but daggone it, I was sad. This group of guys is the closest team I have ever been on. To think about not being able to come to work this week, it’s sad to see everyone packing things up and whatnot,” quarterback Trevor Harris said.

Linebacker A.J. Allen also wasn’t sure how to feel about the day.

“I’ve been fighting with that demon the whole time. Only one team is happy at the end of the year, and for many years, it hasn’t been us, but now it is us. Obviously, I am going to miss teammates, my friends, my coaches, everyone,” Allen said. “We accomplished everything we said we were going to do, so it’s also a feeling of fulfillment.”

Harris, who is 39 years old, is one of the Riders’ players who will need to sign a new contract with the team. He signed a one-year contract prior to this season.

With questions swirling about whether he will return for another season, Harris said this year’s process will be the same as any other.

“I feel like I’m supposed to feel different because I get all these questions like, ‘Is this it?’ and I’m like, ‘Is it supposed to be? Do I look old? Am I not playing well? Do I look like a geezer?’ I feel like I’m supposed to feel different,” said Harris, who was named the Grey Cup MVP in the team’s 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes.

“I said on the stage (after receiving the award) that I feel like I’m somewhere between retiring and feeling like I am just hitting my prime.”

While he wouldn’t put a percentage on how likely he was to retire, he did offer some insight.

“I’d be shocked if I feel like — I turn around and say that’s a wrap,” Harris said. “Maybe I wouldn’t be shocked. I don’t know. I don’t want to put any more pressure on it, but I think I’d be shocked.”

Saskatchewan Roughriders players cleared out their lockers after winning the 2025 Grey Cup. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

In the Riders’ locker room, the players were busy clearing out their lockers after winning the final game of the season, with some unsure about what their future holds.

Allen, who was named the team’s Most Outstanding Canadian, is a pending free agent this offseason.

“I don’t know what it holds for me. Just going to keep doing my best to improve every season, enjoy life and try to go 1-0 every day, whether that be being a better boyfriend, being a better brother, being a better mentor and leader,” Allen said. “Just keep doing that.”

Jermarcus Hardrick, who was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman, is also a pending free agent. After the past couple of days of celebrating, he was sounding a little hoarse — but it was a special time.

“I really wanted the guys in this locker room to feel this. I really wanted to do this with this group. We did it,” Hardrick said. “Rider Nation supported us and came out yesterday. We brought the cup back, you took my voice. We’re even.”

Though he hopes that’s not the case for long.

“I want to be back. I want to do it again. I love these guys and I love coming to work. I wish we could do it again,” Hardrick said. “My wife is the last straw, but I think she’s ready to come back. She’s already talking about it, so we can make it work.”

Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Marcus Sayles clears out his locker after the 2025 season came to an end. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

Normally, heading into the offseason, teams are focusing on what went wrong and how they can improve.

Head coach Corey Mace said it’s their legacy that’s on their minds heading into one after winning the Grey Cup.

“The fact that there were four (titles in team history) and now that there’s five, does that make anyone feel really, really awesome? Let’s see how many we can compete for,” Mace said.

“Every year I feel like as many people as we can get back, we put ourselves in contention to get another run at it, and I know that excites a lot of guys in that locker room.”