Photo: Reuben Polansky/3DownNation. All rights reserved.
Saskatchewan Roughriders’ general manager Jeremy O’Day has a clear outlook on contract negotiations with star running back A.J. Ouellette as the CFL’s communication window looms.
“They’re going positive, is all I can say,” O’Day revealed. “We’ve had good conversations. I feel like it’s going in the right direction.”
Ouellette’s current contract with the Green and White is set to expire on Tuesday, February 10. The Ed Hervey legal tampering period opens at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 1, which could allow the five-foot-eight, 208-pound back to gauge interest from other franchises.
The 30-year-old set single-season career highs with 248 carries for 1,222 rushing yards and scored eight touchdowns on the ground in 2025. He added 35 receptions for 250 yards with one major. That production provided value for Saskatchewan as he was the highest-paid American running back in the three-down league last year.
Ouellette posted 17 carries for 113 yards along with two catches for 13 yards in the Riders 24-21 West Final win. He ran 17 times for 83 yards and one touchdown in the 112th Grey Cup victory while hauling in one pass for 32 yards. That totals 241 offensive yards in two playoff games for No. 45, who now has two CFL championship rings.
The six-year veteran has amassed 700 carries for 3,562 rushing yards, 5.1 per carry, in his three-down league career to go along with 21 touchdowns on the ground in 62 CFL regular season games split between Toronto and Saskatchewan. He’s tacked on 110 receptions 949 receiving yards with five majors through the air.
Ouellette has previously expressed his desire to return to Saskatchewan, where he has built a special relationship with quarterback Trevor Harris. However, the contract will have to come at the right price point for both sides and it seems there’s an agreement in the offing.
Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division for the first time since 2019 with a 12-6 record in 2025. The Riders went on to defeat the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup at Princess Auto Stadium, marking the team’s first title in 12 years. Harris went 11-5 as a starter, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 16 regular-season starts.
The Roughriders ranked second in net offence, second in net defence, and tied for third with a plus-eight turnover differential. The team’s leading rusher was Ouellette with 1,222 yards, the leading receiver was KeeSean Johnson with 1,159 yards, and the leading tackler was A.J. Allen with 91 tackles. Saskatchewan finished second in attendance with average crowds of 28,427, which was a 2.7 percent increase from the previous year.