One scribbler’s takeaways from Monday’s media session featuring Jeremy O’Day and Corey Mace begin with someone who orchestrated one of the biggest takeaways in Saskatchewan Roughriders history.

TEVAUGHN CAMPBELL!

Cornerback Tevaughn Campbell, who had been eligible to test free agency in February, has signed a new contract.

Campbell’s six interceptions (in only 13 regular-season games) tied him for the league lead in 2025.

His 112-yard interception return equalled a long-standing team record.

All of that preceded the 112th Grey Cup Game, in which Saskatchewan defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 on Nov. 16 in Winnipeg.

One of the key plays concluded with 2:40 remaining in the fourth quarter, when cornerback Marcus Sayles recovered a Montreal fumble just inside Saskatchewan’s end zone.

Campbell had forced the fumble on a second-and-two quarterback sneak after the ball was scrimmaged on the West Division champions’ three-yard line.

“We’re really based off of turnover football,” Mace, the Roughriders’ Head Coach, said from Calgary as the CFL’s Winter Meetings loomed. “He managed to do that at a high clip, even missing a portion of the games.

“It was extremely important to get him back for the playoff run and ultimately the Grey Cup, where was part of two crucial turnovers.”

Campbell’s third-quarter interception — the Roughriders’ third pick of the game — set up a 48-yard Brett Lauther field goal that gave Saskatchewan a 25-7 lead.

“(Campbell) is a difference-maker for us,” said O’Day, who on Sunday will celebrate his seventh anniversary as the Roughriders’ Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager.

“He’s a great player, regardless of the passport. Him being Canadian does help us with the ratio. You can tell there’s a difference when he’s not in the game.”

The former University of Regina Rams standout returned to the CFL last year after spending five seasons in the NFL. Previously, he had played for Calgary (2015), Saskatchewan (2016) and Montreal (2017-18).

“When he came back from the NFL, he fit in with all the guys,” O’Day said. “He became a big part of the locker room. I’m super-excited for him to have the opportunity to win the Grey Cup.

“We’re just excited to have T.C. back.”

THURMAN’S NEW DEAL

Another reigning All-CFLer — middle linebacker Jameer Thurman — has signed a one-year contract extension that will carry through the 2027 campaign.

“He’s one of our leaders — a team captain and the consummate professional,” O’Day said. “He works his butt off.

“A couple of years ago he played through a torn bicep. He fought through an injury and played the whole year for us at a high level.”

Thurman had 11 defensive tackles (one for a loss) in the championship-game win over Montreal.

In so doing, he tied a franchise record that he shares with two former middle linebackers.

Cleveland Vann’s 11 defensive tackles in 1976 were the original high-water mark for a Roughrider in a Grey Cup Game. That feat has since been matched by Renauld Williams (in 2009) and Thurman.

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOILS

Mace, who doubled as the Defensive Co-ordinator for the past two seasons, recently handed those responsibilities to Joshua Bell.

Bell was the Roughriders’ Run Game Co-ordinator and Defensive Backs Coach in 2024 and 2025.

“There’s no doubt many teams would want Joshua Bell to be their Defensive Co-ordinator,” Mace said. “It’s something that wasn’t a secret for myself or Josh. It’s something we talked about.

“We had certainly been prepping Josh and pushing Josh for taking that next step and working hand-in-hand with him for the last two years. It was just his time. He has definitely earned the right to be able to see what that looks like.

“A lot of stuff that our defence looks like going back a bunch of a years is from the brains of Joshua Bell, myself, and everybody else included.

“I don’t think how we operate is going to change. The recipe will probably be the same, but the ingredients might look a little bit different and add a little bit of flavour to it. I’m excited to see that, too.”

JAKE AND JACK

The Roughriders’ list of pending free agents includes Jake Maier and Jack Coan, who were second and third, respectively, on the depth chart last season.

Starting signal-caller Trevor Harris and short-yardage specialist Tommy Stevens both signed new deals in early December.

“I think it comes down a little bit to what Jake wants to do,” O’Day said. “Is he comfortable coming back and being in the same situation he was before?

“It’s a question to ask him, because his thought process is ‘Do I come back and kind of be put in the same position or do I have an opportunity to go somewhere else where I feel like I might be able to start or play more this season?’

“As far as Jack, we’d love to have him back, too. I think he’s in a situation where he wants to grow from where he was the last two seasons. He wants to have an opportunity to be the Number 2 quarterback.

“Those are conversations we have. I think some of it comes down to Jake and then, from there, conversations with Jack. He’s looking for an opportunity to be a Number 2 and Jake’s looking for an opportunity to try to play.

“It’s a good question. It’ll be ironed out shortly.”

“WINNING’S A LOT OF FUN”

“We’re trying to run it back and win back-to-back Grey Cups, which has never been done in Saskatchewan,” O’Day said when asked about his approach to negotiations with the remaining pending free agents.

“We’ve got a great group of guys in the locker room. They just have to understand that they all have to fit into the (salary) cap, one way or the other, so that can be a challenge.

“Some guys may have to sacrifice but, ultimately, what we’re trying to do is keep everyone together and give us all an opportunity to do what we just did, because winning’s a lot of fun.

“We want to have our guys back but, ultimately, it takes concessions on both sides.”