SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Roughriders are, in the words of Head Coach Corey Mace, “back to business.”

The main portion of Coors Light Training Camp began on Sunday morning at Griffiths Stadium, when veterans and rookies merged for the first time in 2026.

Rookie camp ran from Wednesday to Friday at the University of Saskatchewan campus.

Seven full workouts will be followed by the team’s departure for Calgary, where the Roughriders are to play the Stampeders in the May 18 pre-season opener.

Just five days later, the Roughriders will play host to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Griffiths Stadium. Winnipeg also provided the opposition in 1991, when Saskatoon last staged a CFL pre-season game. Standing-room tickets for the May 23 game at Griffiths Stadium are available HERE.

But first things first — main training camp … and the initial answers to following questions:

1. Who will be the backup quarterback?

Trevor Harris, the reigning Grey Cup MVP, is entrenched as the starter. Jack Coan is a strong bet to move up the depth chart after a two-year apprenticeship. Short-yardage monster Tommy Stevens is anxious to show that there are other elements to his repertoire. Newcomers Jordan McCloud and Brayden Schager also merit scrutiny.

2. Who replaces Dohnte Meyers?

Meyers signed with the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals after catching 65 passes for 1,065 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025. An assortment of American receivers will contend for that starting spot. Abdul Janneh Jr., Jaylen Johnson, Tyrie Cleveland, Siaosi Mariner, Juwann Winfree and Ali Jennings III have all advanced from rookie camp. James Letcher Jr., a proven CFL returner, also has abundant receiving skills.

3. Who plays left guard?

Four positions on the Roughriders’ offensive line would seem to be set. Centre Logan Ferland, right guard Jacob Brammer and right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick are returning All-CFL performers. Left tackle Payton Collins was named the Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Rookie in 2025. At left guard, the Roughriders had six different starters last season. Zack Fry, who led the way with eight starts, is back. Daniel Johnson, also a Canadian, started once at left guard. Also worth watching: Erik Andersen, the Roughriders’ second-round choice in the 2025 CFL Canadian Draft. Anderson, formerly of Western University, was named the most outstanding lineman in U Sports football last season.

4. Who will complement A.J. Ouellette?

With 1,222 rushing yards, Ouellette placed second in the league last year. When he needed a breather, Quebec-born Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and Mario Anderson Jr. were effective. The competition between Anderson Jr. and a fellow American, Darrell Henderson Jr., will be of interest. Henderson Jr. arrives with 1,854 NFL rushing yards on his resume.

5. How about the defensive ends?

Malik Carney and Habakkuk Baldonado, both of whom started in the 2025 Grey Cup Game, signed with the Ottawa REDBLACKS as free agents. Free-agency was also a vehicle that brought veteran pass-rusher James Vaughters to Saskatchewan. Vaughters had six sacks in 17 games with Winnipeg last season. Strong candidates abound among the newcomers. Don’t forget Chico Bennett Jr. and Sylvain Yondjouen, both of whom were on the practice roster last season. This looms as the most intriguing position of all.

6. Who starts at weak-side linebacker?

Two of the three front-line linebacking positions are spoken for, barring the unexpected. Middle linebacker Jameer Thurman is a returning All-CFLer. Antoine Brooks Jr., on the strong side, is a playmaking machine. There will be a third playmaker, but who? Josh Woods joins the Roughriders after appearing in 14 regular-season games with the B.C. Lions in 2025. He had six defensive tackles and pass knockdown against Saskatchewan in the Western Final. Aubrey Miller Jr. had nine tackles for Saskatchewan against B.C. in the Oct. 25 regular-season finale. If the Roughriders aspire to start a Canadian at that spot — manned last season by A.J. Allen of Burlington, Ont. — 2024 draftees Nick Wiebe (second round) and Melique Straker (fourth) bring a lot to the table. Newly signed Ryder Varga, who arrives with plenty of experience as a weak-side linebacker, could influence the equation once he fully recovers from a knee injury he suffered with the Toronto Argonauts in September.

7. How do the Roughriders find room for all the talented new defensive backs?

All five opening-day starters from 2025 are back — safety Nelson Lokombo, defensive halfbacks DaMarcus Fields and Rolan Milligan Jr., and cornerbacks Marcus Sayles and Tevaughn Campbell. However, training camp is all about competition. Many of the new defensive backs were impressive during rookie camp.

8. Who will handle the kicking?

Brett Lauther, now of the REDBLACKS, was the Roughriders’ placekicker from 2018 to 2025. He is the team’s all-time leader in field-goal accuracy (81.9 per cent). This much we know: He will be succeeded in Saskatchewan by an American — Michael Hughes or Jonathan Kim. Both connected from 53 yards on Day 3 of rookie camp.

9. Who will get the ball to the holder?

For a decade, this hasn’t been a question. Jorgen Hus was the Roughriders’ long snapper from 2015 to 2025. His recent retirement has cleared the way for veteran CFLer Aaron Crawford or American newcomer Reed Hughes to handle a crucial, but oft-overlooked, task.

10. Who will be this year’s Payton Collins?

Collins signed with the Roughriders just before training camp last year. The fanfare was minimal. He ended up being an opening-day starter at the all-important left tackle position — looking very much like a cornerstone player. Training camp usually produces some surprises. Who will it be this time around?