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The Saskatchewan Roughriders will continue to put together the puzzle pieces as the team looks to accomplish something its never done before — win a second-straight Grey Cup.
Saskatchewan won it’s fifth CFL championship in team history when they defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17.
After enjoying celebrations about the win, the attention for the team turned quickly to how they could find the same success in 2026 and run it back.
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The team and general manager Jeremy O’Day entered the off-season with 44 pending free agents and has signed back a number of them ahead of the CFL Free Agency negotiation window on Sunday.
The window opened today, and allows players to negotiate with other teams. No deals can become official until free agency begins on Feb. 10.
Quarterbacks
Signed: Trevor Harris, Jack Coan, Tommy Stevens, Jordan McCloud, Brayden Schrager
Pending free agent: Jake Maier
One of the big contracts the team was able to get squared away was with quarterback Trevor Harris. The Grey Cup MVP was the team’s Most Outstanding Player in 2025, throwing for 4,549 yards and 24 touchdowns.
“That was important for us to know that he’s our guy and he’s back and also the pace at which he wanted to get back,” O’Day said.
“(Trevor’s) awesome through free agency. He’s willing to call and get on the phone with our guys. They all enjoy each other and like to have everyone back. He’s been very helpful to get hold of the guys and know they are wanted.”
The team has brought back short-yardage specialist Tommy Stevens to a two-year deal. The team has also signed back Jack Coan, who spent most of his first two seasons with the team on the practice roster.
With veteran Jake Maier unsigned, O’Day believes you can read into it.
“Jake we brought in last year and thought he was excellent and did a great job for us. I think for him, he has to evaluate with where he’s at in his career and where’s the best opportunity for him,” O’Day said.
Running back A.J. Ouellette was signed to a one-year contract on Feb. 1, the day of the free agency window opening. (Saskatchewan Roughriders/Submitted)
Running backs
Signed: Thomas Bertrand-Hudon, Albert Awachie, Mario Anderson Jr., Marcus Major Jr., Morgen Runge, A.J. Ouellette
One of the team’s top performers on offence in 2025 remained without a contract until Sunday morning, when the Riders announced rusher A.J. Ouellette had signed a one-year contract extension.
After an injury-filled 2024, Ouellette bounced back in in 2025 and played in 17 games recording 1,222 yards and eight rushing touchdowns.
Prior to the free agency window, O’Day mentioned there was positive momentum when it came to talks with Ouellette.
Thomas Bertrand-Hudon will be back in 2025 and has performed well when healthy and given opportunities.
Wide receivers
Signed: KeeSean Johnson, Sam Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Ajou Ajou, Dhel Duncan-Busby, D’Sean Mimbs, Daniel Wiebe, Collin Brunstein, Abdul Janneh Jr., Siaosi Mariner
Unsigned: Joe Robustelli, Tommy Nield, Mitch Picton, Shawn Bane Jr. (released), Dohnte Meyers (released for NFL opportunity)
One of the groups that was going to be hard to keep together was the receiver room, with plenty of players making the most of their opportunities in 2025.
Sam Emilus, KeeSean Johnson, and Kian Schaffer-Baker all have signed two-year contract extensions with the team.
While Emilus, who would be named the Grey Cup Most Outstanding Canadian, and Schaffer-Baker missed big chunks of the season due to injury, both are valuable pieces to the offence.
Johnson had 1,159 yards and four touchdowns as he was named an All-CFLer.
“Always wanted to bring (Johnson) back but we had to go through some of the other parts of it before we knew if we were going to be able to meet his demands. I think if KeeSean went out onto the market could’ve got a bit more and I think he understood that,” O’Day said.
“He made it be known that he wanted to be back and we made it known we wanted him back.”
Ajou Ajou came back to the team after trying his luck in the NFL and is expected to battle for a starting spot.
With the release of Shawn Bane Jr. as well as Dohnte Meyers being signed by the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals, the team could look to sign a veteran American wide receiver.
Offensive line
Signed: Erik Anderson, Dayton Black, Jacob Brammer, Carter Yoseph, Payton Collins, Logan Ferland, Zack Fry, Jermarcus Hardrick, Daniel Johnson, Darius Washington
Unsigned: Philippe Gagnon, Sean McEwen, Braydon Noll, Trevon Tate, Noah Zerr
The Riders’ offensive line dealt with a number of injuries again in 2025 but their depth was able to allow them to weather the storm.
Four of the five starters from 2025 are set to return as Jacob Brammer and Jermarcus Hardrick signed extensions this offseason. Both were named All CFLers in 2025. Hardrick was voted the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
Payton Collins will enter his second CFL season and is expected to be the left tackle.
Logan Ferland, who’s primary position is guard, was forced to play centre all season due to an injury to Sean McEwen in camp.
McEwen and Philippe Gagnon, who were both signed last off-season, are set to become free agents.
Defensive line
Signed: Devin Adams, Kendy Charles, Liam Hoskins, Lake Korte-Moore, Jaylen Pate, Aaron Patrick, Mike Rose, Ali Saad, Caleb Sanders, Sylvain Yondjouen, Chico Bennett Jr.
Unsigned: Habakkuk Baldonado, Malik Carney, Charbel Dabire, Benoit Marion, Shane Ray
The Riders had one of the best defensive lines in the CFL last season and that success can make it tough to bring everyone back.
Micah Johnson has retired to join the coaching staff of the team.
Malik Carney was one of the top-pass rushers in the league last season and got to opposing quarterbacks eight times but he remains without a deal. Habakkuk Baldonado also impressed as he was given more playing time due to injuries, recording four sacks.
The team has been able to bring back key contributors such as Mike Rose and Caleb Sanders. Ali Saad, who was the team’s first round draft pick in the 2025 draft, will be tasked with doing more in his second season.
Linebackers
Signed: Seth Hundeby, Melique Straker, Jameer Thurman, Nick Wiebe, Antoine Brooks Jr.
Unsigned: A.J. Allen, C.J. Avery, Aubrey Miller Jr., C.J. Reavis
While Jameer Thurman was already signed for 2026 and also agreed to an extension, the two other linebackers he played most of the season with are without new contracts.
Linebacker A.J. Allen emerged as one of the top linebackers in the CFL. The Canadian recorded 87 tackles, three interceptions, and four sacks. He was named the team’s Most Outstanding Canadian for his 2025 season.
C.J. Reavis enjoyed a second straight All-CFL season in 2025. He had 61 tackles, an interception and a sack from the SAM linebacker spot. His versatility was on display as he made the switch to safety late in the season, where he started the Grey Cup game.
O’Day said he didn’t have anything to report on them ahead of the window.
“We’d love to have all the team back but unfortunately, we have to make decisions on who we can bring back, who we can offer and who we can’t,” O’Day said.
Riders defensive back Tevaughn Campbell will be back in 2026 as he signed a contract extension. (Brittany Caffet/650 CKOM)
Defensive backs
Signed: Gideon Agyei, Tevaughn Campbell, Jayden Dalke, Kerfalla Exume, DaMarcus Fields, Jaxon Ford, Garnett Hollis Jr., Nelson Lokombo, Nelson Lokombo, Nafees Lyon, Rolan Milligan, Sheldrick Redwine, Benny Sapp III, Marcus Sayles
While the defensive line and linebacker room could see some major contributors leave, the Riders defensive backfield will remain untouched heading into 2026.
Starters Nelson Lokombo, DaMarcus Fields and Tevaughn Campbell all agreed to extensions this off-season. Marcus Sayles and Rolan Milligan Jr. were already under contract for the 2026 season.
The Riders also signed back some key depth pieces as well with Kerfalla Exume, Jaxon Ford and Jayden Dalke signing deals.
Special teams
Signed: Brett Lauther, Michael Hughes, Jesse Mirco
Unsigned: Mario Alford, Jorgen Hus
The Riders appear set to have an open competition at kicker for training camp. After Brett Lauther struggled in 2025, Michael Hughes was brought in and played in one game. He was re-signed this off-season and Lauther remains signed for 2026.
Long-time long-snapper Jorgen Hus is without a contract. He was the longest-serving member of the Riders, first joining the team in 2015.
Mario Alford, who has a number of Rider team records when it comes to the return game, also remains without an extension.
“Still evaluating it. (Alford) probably goes into the window for sure. We will see. Obviously Mario has been a great player for us. Has had some historic numbers for us we don’t forget about but it has to fit and those conversations are ongoing,” O’Day said last week.
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