The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have made a big move after a slow start to the CFL’s legal tampering period before the official start of the free agency period. A day after the Tiger-Cats restructured the contract of wide receiver Kenny Lawler, Hamilton has decided to sign All-CFL linebacker Wynton McManis. McManis provides the Tiger-Cats with an opportunity to add a lightning rod to their defensive front seven after the iconic Tiger-Cats linebacker Simoni Lawrence retired a few seasons ago.
Last season, the Tiger-Cats appeared to have found their next linebacker for the future with 1st-round draft pick Devin Veresuk. However, after Veresuk had an outstanding rookie season with Hamilton, he had an opportunity to pursue an NFL career with the Indianapolis Colts. That created a gap that allowed 2-time All-CFL and 3-time Grey Cup champion Wynton McManis to step in and become a leader of the Tiger-Cats’.
Wynton McManis comes to Hamilton after an outstanding four-season stint with the Toronto Argonauts from 2021 until 2025. During his time in Toronto, McManis played in 55 games and recorded 288 solo tackles, 12.0 quarterback sacks, 9 interceptions, and 4 defensive touchdowns. In 2025, the 31-year-old McManis struggled with injuries, playing in only 13 games and recording 62 solo tackles, 4.0 quarterback sacks, and 1 interception.
During his career in professional football, the 6’1″, 220-pound McManis has had many opportunities to be a difference maker in the CFL with a few NFL stops along the way. In 2016, McManis spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, and in 2021, McManis had another NFL opportunity with the New Orleans Saints. However, the majority of his professional football career has been in the CFL.
In 2017, McManis began his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders, and he had three successful seasons there. During his time with the Stampeders, McManis recorded 104 solo tackles and 1.0 quarterback sacks. Since then, McManis has played for the Argonauts and developed a reputation as one of the top linebackers in the CFL.
McManis is considered to be a game-changing linebacker in the CFL. When healthy, he has demonstrated he is a ball hawk, recording 9 interceptions and 3 defensive touchdowns from 2022 to 2024. In addition, McManis is a physically dominant player who also brings charisma to the locker room, making him an ideal leader for Hamilton. While Hamilton will likely make McManis the highest-paid linebacker in the CFL, there are concerns about his age and durability, but when he is at his best, he is still an elite defensive player.
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