Continuity is crucial as Roughriders prepare for free-agency period, 2025 season

Jeremy O’Day wasn’t kidding.

When the CFL’s free-agency communication window was about to open, the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager told reporters the emphasis was on “continuity.”

Moreover, he envisioned the Roughriders “probably being a little less active in free agency.”

That appears to be the case leading up to Tuesday, when the free-agency period formally begins at 11 a.m., Saskatchewan time.

During the one-week communication window, which closed on Sunday, the Roughriders continued to finalize deals with players who were with the team in 2024.

Most of the heavy lifting has been done in advance of Tuesday.

Some announcements or confirmations of new additions are anticipated, albeit in a reduced volume when compared to each of the past two Februarys.

As of this writing, Saskatchewan has re-signed 17 pending free agents. Four of them — quarterback Trevor Harris, cornerback Marcus Sayles, defensive tackle Micah Johnson and linebacker Jameer Thurman — earned league or divisional All-CFL honours last season.

Harris, Johnson and receiver Shawn Bane Jr. were among the free-agent additions in 2023.

Thurman, Carney, running back A.J. Ouellette and offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick were high-profile signings a year ago.

This time around, O’Day has added a few familiar names from elsewhere, but largely outside the parameters of the communications window.

Quarterback Jake Maier, who was acquired from the Calgary Stampeders on Dec. 23, signed a one-year contract on Jan. 9.

Maier, who was a pending free agent when the trade was made, gives the Roughriders half the four CFL quarterbacks who threw for 20-plus touchdowns last season. See also: Trevor Harris.

The Roughriders added another ex-Stampeder on Feb. 1 when the signing of perennial All-CFL defensive tackle Mike Rose was announced. Rose, a divisional All-CFLer in 2024, joined the Roughriders four days after being released by the Stampeders.

One more former Stampeder — defensive back Tevaughn Campbell — has been added to the equation.

The ratio-breaking defensive back, who began his CFL career with Calgary in 2015 before spending time with Saskatchewan (2016) and the Montreal Alouettes (2017 and 2018), returns to three-down football after six years in the NFL.

Campbell joins a secondary that includes halfback Rolan Milligan Jr., who was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2024.

Milligan Jr., who was already under contract through 2025, recently signed an extension that obligates him to the Green and White until 2026.

That is in adherence to O’Day’s emphasis on multi-year deals. The Roughriders entered the current off-season having already secured the returns of accomplished performers such as Hardrick, Ouellette, Bane Jr., receivers Kian Schaffer-Baker and Samuel Emilus, offensive lineman Logan Ferland, linebacker C.J. Reavis, kicker Brett Lauther and long snapper Jorgen Hus.

(Receiver Ajou Ajou and offensive tackle Trevor Reid, both of whom excelled as rookies in 2024, took advantage of clauses in their CFL contracts that allowed them to field NFL offers. They signed with the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings, respectively.)

Most of the recent announcements have pertained to players who will enjoy an incumbency in Riderville.

The list of 17 re-signings, referenced earlier, consists of:

• Harris, Johnson, Sayles and Thurman. (The latter two players signed two-year extensions.)

• Mario Alford, who was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2022. He was a divisional All-CFL pick the following year. In 2024, he increased his Roughriders record for career return touchdowns to eight.

• A.J. Allen — the CFL’s co-leader in special teams tackles (22) last season. He also scored on a 48-yard interception return early in his first professional start at weak-side linebacker.

• Linebackers Jordan Herdman-Reed and Justin Herdman-Reed.

• Defensive linemen Malik Carney, Charbel Dabire and Benoit Marion.

• Defensive backs Nelson Lokombo, Jayden Dalke and Kosi Onyeka.

• Offensive linemen Trevon Tate and Noah Zerr.

• Mitch Picton, who rejoins a receiving corps that was also bolstered by the recent signing of national Tommy Nield (previously of the Toronto Argonauts).

The abundant returnees are especially important when you consider their contributions to a team that finished in second place, earned a home playoff game and advanced to the Western Final in 2024.

“You can see what the coaches and the front office are doing,” Sayles said. “They’re bringing in guys who can help us and who have proven in this league that they can win.”

That includes defensive end Shane Ray, who has won championships with the Denver Broncos (2016 Super Bowl) and Toronto (2022 Grey Cup).

Ray is among 21 off-season signings (or, in select cases) re-signings) who aspire to play in their first game with the Roughriders.

That list — assembled on the strength of recruiting by O’Day and Assistant GMs Kyle Carson and Paul Jones — also consists of:

• Quarterback Michael Hiers.

• Running back Trent Pennix.

• Fullback Morgen Runge, who attended Coors Light Riders Training Camp in 2023 and 2024.

• Nield and fellow receivers Ja’Marcus Bradley, D’Sean Mimbs and Wayne Ruby Jr.

• Offensive lineman Brandon Kemp.

• Defensive linemen Rondell Bothroyd, Alex Gubner and Jordan Smith.

• Linebacker Braxton Hill.

• Defensive backs Richard Aduboffour, Nicario Harper, Eddie Heckard, Robert Javier, Tyrique McGhee and Alfahiym Walcott.

• Punter Joe Couch and kicker Ben Hadley.

All the aforementioned players join the following Roughriders returnees who were under contract before the communications window opened:

• Quarterback Jack Coan.

• Running backs Ryquell Armstead and Thomas Bertrand-Hudon.

• Fullback Albert Awachie.

• Receivers Dhel Duncan-Busby, KeeSean Johnson, Dohnte Meyers and Joe Robustelli.

• Offensive linemen Jacob Brammer, Zack Fry, Daniel Johnson, Nick Jones and Braydon Noll.

• Defensive linemen Habakkuk Baldonado, Eric Black, Lake Korte-Moore and Caleb Sanders.

• Linebackers C.J. Avery, Aubrey Miller Jr., Zach Philion, Melique Straker and Nick Wiebe.

• Defensive backs Antoine Brooks Jr., DaMarcus Fields and Jaxon Ford.

• Punter Adam Korsak.

To keep tabs on the transactions, visit the CFL’s free-agency tracker.