A.J. Ouellette excited to be back with Riders for 2026

It nearly reached the CFL Free Agency Communication Window but a deal was struck between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and running back A.J. Ouellette.

The team announced Sunday morning before the window opened the 30-year-old rusher would be back for the 2026 season.

Read more: 

• Kicker Brett Lauther released by Sask. Roughriders after eight seasons
• A look at the Riders as CFL Free Agency negotiation window opens
• Running back A.J. Ouellette will return to Roughriders for 2026 season

“(Negotiations) went well. It’s a business so the first number is never going to work for anyone. Of course, we had to wait for the superstars to sign before they reached out to me so it felt like I was waiting forever,” Ouellette said jokingly. “It had me sweating but it worked out and excited to be here.”

Ouellette said things could have gone to the negotiation window.

“I could have took the first offer and said we were here and no more stress but trying to think about how it impacts the family,” Ouellette said. “You don’t get to play that long and I feel like for my career, this is where it needs to be right now.

“We worked into a respectful offer. I felt like I was happy last year with what I made and we’re pretty much at the same number. I’m happy with it and family is happy with it. Of course, the community — I had all the offers on Twitter — someone offered perogies and all kinds of stuff. I’ll be hitting them up soon.”

The Covington, Ohio, product was a key contributor to the Riders’ offence in 2025 as the team went on to win its fifth Grey Cup in team history. He had 1,222 rushing yards and added eight rushing touchdowns.

Ouellette said the way the Riders run the team is why Saskatchewan is where he wanted to be.

“It’s a true professional feel. Then being able to just go out in the community and feel like you’re impacting someone’s life. I get stopped at Wal-Mart and all that and that five-minute conversation I would have with someone that says it made their whole month or whole year, it makes you feel good,” Ouellette said. “I enjoy those stops. They aren’t going to last forever. One day, a new running back is going to step in and take my spot and then a few years after that, I’ll just be a Grey Cup picture on someone’s wall. I’m just going to enjoy it while I have it.”

He has also built quite a friendship with fellow Ohio product and starting quarterback Trevor Harris. Ouellette said Harris signing an extension wasn’t the only reason he wanted to come back but it did play a factor.

“The bond me and Trevor have developed over the two years and then him signing and getting pumped he gets to play to play another season of football and possible three more — we will see how he feels after this season,” Ouellette said. “It’s a big reason.”

Ouellette and the Riders will look to do something that hasn’t been done in the franchise’s history — winning a second-straight title.

“As long as you can put work to your confidence, you’ll have a good season. The team is very confident; we just have to make sure we are making the right decisions and staying on top of our work, our preparation throughout the whole season. No matter how good the season is going, playoffs can make it turn real quick,” Ouellette said. “That will be my leadership going into this season is have that confidence but back it with the work like you did the previous year. You should be confident — we just won — so walk with your chest out but put in the work.”

Benoit Marion signs extension

The Riders also announced defensive end Benoit Marion to an extension.

The Montreal product appeared in 15 games for the Riders in 2025, recording 13 special teams tackles. Prior to joining the Roughriders, Marion spent time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts in 2024, suiting up for nine games and registering six special teams tackles.

He was originally selected the Montreal Alouettes in the third round (25th overall) of the 2020 CFL Draft.  Marion also won a Grey Cup Championship in 2022 when the Argos beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24-23.

CFL Free Agency officially opens on Feb. 10.