Courtesy: Piper Sports Photography.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats approached Kyle Carson for the team’s general manager job, but Saskatchewan’s assistant GM decided to stay with the Roughriders, per sources.
The Sherwood Park, Alta., native, who was raised in Nolensville, Tenn., got his first job in the CFL as an intern with the Calgary Stampeders in 2012. John Hufnagel promoted him to the team’s CFL Draft coordinator role, and he helped the Stamps win two Grey Cups, then departed for the Riders following the 2019 season.
Carson originally joined Saskatchewan as the team’s player personnel director and earned a promotion to assistant general manager in 2022. He played a key role in helping the team win the 112th Grey Cup over the Montreal Alouettes and recently received a ringing endorsement from general manager Jeremy O’Day.
“Kyle’s turned into an awesome assistant general manager and will be a GM when he decides to be,” O’Day said. “Kyle has a huge part in what you see on the field. He’s scouting the players in the U.S. He’s very involved with the [CFL] Draft. Hard worker and has a good football mind — future’s bright for him.”
The 38-year-old has a key role with the Roughriders, evaluating talent on both sides of the border. He scouts NFL training camps and NCAA all-star games, negotiates contracts, coordinates Saskatchewan’s CFL Draft process, helps plan for free agency and assists with the negotiation list.
Carson played in the Canadian Junior Football League for the Victoria Rebels and then joined the University of Calgary Dinos. As a student-athlete, he earned a degree in communications.
His family, wife Breanne, son Cruise, daughter Daisy and dog Nash currently call Regina home.
Hamilton’s general manager position has been vacant since Ted Goveia tragically passed away in September. Carson was a finalist for the job last offseason alongside Goveia and Geroy Simon, who ended up being hired by the University of Maryland as the Terrapins’ GM.
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. Trevor 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 A.J. 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.