Photo: Blair Takahashi/COACHTAK/3DownNation. All rights reserved.
The Calgary Stampeders failed to qualify for the CFL playoffs in 2026, missing out for the second time in three years. Despite finishing with a .500 record and leading the league in points scored, seven losses by one-score margins denied the Grey Cup hosts a berth in the tournament.
It remains unclear what level of organizational change will accompany this year’s disappointment, but hard choices will need to be made. That goes for the roster as well, with more than 30 players currently in need of new contracts. That includes several marquee names, at least one of whom has already suggested they are on the fence.
Free agency won’t officially get underway until February, but for now, these are the players currently set to hit the open market. This list is unofficial and was compiled using anonymous 3DownNation sourcing.
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1900 Rose St, Regina SK S4P 0A9.
Please note that “N” denotes nationals (ie. Canadians), “A” denotes Americans, and “G” denotes Globals.
Quarterback
Josh Love (A)
Running back
Tyreik McAllister (A)
Deonta McMahon (A)
Fullback
None
Photo: Blair Takahashi/COACHTAK/3DownNation. All rights reserved.
Receiver
Clark Barnes (N)
Reggie Begelton (A)
Tevin Jones (A)
Jalen Philpot (N)
Offensive line
William Barnes (A)
Bryce Bell (N)
Preston Nichols (A)
Christy Nkanu (N)
Defensive line
Miles Brown (A)
Daniel Joseph (N)
Collin Kornelson (N)
Folarin Orimolade (A)
Justin Sambu (N)
Kelon Thomas (N)
Charles Wiley (A)
Photo: Blair Takahashi/COACHTAK/3DownNation. All rights reserved.
Linebacker
Kelechi Anyalebechi (A)
Terrence Ganyi (N)
Marquel Lee (A)
Micah Teitz (N)
Kyle Wilson (A)
Defensive back
Sheldon Arnold II (A)
Jaydon Grant (A)
Anthony Johnson (A)
Ben Labrosse (N)
Derrick Moncrief (A)
Godfrey Onyeka (N)
Jacob Taylor (N)
Damon Webb (A)
Specialist
None
It should be noted that players who finish the season on the practice roster automatically become free agents. This means that running back Tre Stewart (A), receivers Shawn Bane Jr. (A) and Jeremiah Hunter (A), offensive linemen Tyler Packer (N) and Bakyne Coly (A), defensive linemen Savio Frazier (A), Khairi Manns (A), Elijah Hills (A), Daniel Grzesiak (A), and Tristan Marois (N), and defensive backs BoPete Keyes (A) and Jackson Sombach (N) are free to join any other team unless they sign new contracts.
J.C. Abbott is a University of British Columbia graduate and high school football coach. He covers the CFL, B.C. Lions, CFL Draft and the three-down league’s Global initiative.
