{"id":455716,"date":"2026-02-05T15:31:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:31:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/455716\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T15:31:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T15:31:09","slug":"what-every-team-has-done-so-far-during-the-free-agency-communication-window","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/455716\/","title":{"rendered":"What every team has done so far during the Free Agency Communication Window"},"content":{"rendered":"

The CFL\u2019s Free Agency Communication Window opened over the weekend and the first 24 hours were a frenzy of reports on who is going where.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Communication Window is always an indication of a) who has the money to spend and b) who has the spots to fill.<\/p>\n

If a team isn\u2019t as busy as others, it\u2019s more often than not because they\u2019ve done the work to build their team already by signing their own pending free agents to extensions or feel comfortable with the depth they\u2019ve built.<\/p>\n

\"20262026 CFL FREE AGENCY
\u00bb\u00a0CFL.ca\u2019s top 30 pending free agents<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Where every CFL team stands ahead of Free Agency<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0More 2026 Free Agency news and analysis<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0What you missed from the first day of the Free Agency Communication Window<\/a><\/p>\n

If a team is busy, they clearly haven\u2019t spent money on their own pending free agents and want upgrades at current positions.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a look at where everyone is sitting ahead of when free agency opens next Tuesday.<\/p>\n

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n

A.J. Allen says not today!<\/p>\n

Saskatchewan snags their second interception of the quarter!#CFLGameDay<\/a>
\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: @sskroughriders<\/a> vs. REDBLACKS LIVE NOW
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6: TSN, RDS
\ud83c\udf0e: CFL+ pic.twitter.com\/d5DYLSmPe4<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CFL (@CFL) October 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Roughriders knew coming in that they were going to be picked at after winning a championship. They had several players due for raises after a great season, but they can\u2019t afford to give them all a raise.<\/p>\n

They locked up nearly their entire starting offence from the 112th Grey Cup team and only added previously released return man\/receiver <\/a>James Letcher Jr.<\/a> from Montreal.<\/p>\n

On defence was where the holes needed to be filled as a trio of All-CFL calibre players (A.J. Allen<\/a>, C.J. Reavis<\/a> and Malik Carney<\/a>) are reportedly heading out the door.<\/p>\n

The Riders only had one player reportedly agree to terms in the Communication Window and that is defensive end James Vaughters. General Manager Jeremy O\u2019Day\u2019s other defensive signing was <\/a>Josh Woods<\/a>, who was released from his deal in BC back in December.<\/p>\n

While there might be some nervous fans in Rider Nation, the team did show off great depth last season on their way to a Grey Cup and the team has faith in the next-man-up attitude to fill some of the holes left open.<\/p>\n

BC LIONS<\/p>\n

The BC Lions did even less than the Roughriders through the first few days of the Communication Window. Like their West Division rival, the Lions tried to do more work in locking up players to extensions rather than digging deep in free agency.<\/p>\n

The Lions\u2019 biggest off-season move comes with adding more years to the end of quarterback<\/a> Nathan Rourke<\/a>\u2019s deal. That now allows the Lions to plan for the future and they don\u2019t have to do a lot of work to spend top dollar for free agents.<\/p>\n

The Lions roster is built to win and while the team is reportedly losing one of the best offensive linemen<\/a> in the league in Jarell Broxton<\/a>, they have signed Grey Cup champion <\/a>Isiah Cage<\/a> to try to fill that void.<\/a><\/p>\n

EDMONTON ELKS<\/p>\n

Malik Carney halts the Winnipeg drive! @oktire<\/a> #LDWeekend<\/a><\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: Blue Bombers vs. @sskroughriders<\/a> LIVE NOW
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6: TSN
\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8: CBSSN
\ud83c\udf0e: CFL+ pic.twitter.com\/ySzNmxzngk<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CFL (@CFL) August 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Now we get to one of the teams that needed to fill holes and had the money to do it.<\/p>\n

Ed Hervey focussed on the offensive and defensive lines with a major deal reportedly done with Grey Cup champion <\/a>Malik Carney<\/a> out of Saskatchewan. Carney was exceptional last season in Saskatchewan, creating havoc off the edge for opposing quarterbacks, and the Elks need more disruption off the defensive line to make a move up the standings.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll note Hervey\u2019s moves have a Tiger-Cat theme, as Hervey was there when five of his potential signings played in Hamilton, including Carney.<\/p>\n

Also reportedly agreeing to terms in the reunion of Tiger-Cats in Edmonton are offensive lineman Jordan Murray<\/a>, Coulter Woodmansey<\/a>, receiver Brendon O\u2019Leary-Orange and quarterback Taylor Powell.<\/p>\n

The latter, Powell, is a signing I\u2019ll be keeping an eye on. I really believed Powell was ready to become a starter before the Tiger-Cats went out and signed Bo Levi Mitchell. The young quarterback is a great addition to the quarterback room behind Cody Fajardo<\/a> with an eye on the future in Edmonton.<\/p>\n

The other reported signing is receiver Joe Robustelli from the Roughriders. Robustelli impressed and improved throughout the last two seasons in Saskatchewan in a depth role in Regina.<\/p>\n

CALGARY STAMPEDERS<\/p>\n

The Calgary Stampeders are once again in their traditional quieter philosophy in free agency after being a little bit more aggressive last season.<\/p>\n

The Stampeders didn\u2019t lose any potential free agents as of yet, but did reportedly agree to terms with quality Canadian receiver Dejon Brissett<\/a>, who is coming off a career year in Toronto.<\/p>\n

The other reported signing is that of defensive back Devodric Bynum. Bynum was only able to play in the first five games of 2025 but had a great start to his CFL career with five interceptions in 2024. He\u2019s a versatile player who could help upgrade the Stampeders defence.<\/p>\n

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

After being at the top of the league for the last few seasons, the Bombers haven\u2019t had to be too active at this time of year.<\/p>\n

Usually the time is spent signing their players to extensions and allowing everyone else to spend the money. Not so much this time. After a frustrating year, the Bombers are looking to return to their spot at the top of the West Division by spending some cash.<\/p>\n

The Communication Window has reports of plenty of incoming talent; offensive lineman Jarell Broxton<\/a>, receiver Tommy Nield<\/a>, defensive back Jonathan Moxey<\/a>, and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna.<\/p>\n

And don\u2019t forget about grabbing<\/a> Tim White<\/a> from Hamilton after his release to again bolster the receiving corps.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll be honest, I can\u2019t remember the last time Kyle Walters has been this active at this time of year. Probably back when they were adding Willie Jefferson<\/a>, Nic Demski<\/a> and Andrew Harris<\/a> to build what would become the standard of the CFL.<\/p>\n

TORONTO ARGONAUTS<\/p>\n

In Toronto, it\u2019s the first off-season with a revamped front office that will try to go to work. The biggest piece was the repatriation of Adarius Pickett<\/a> to the Argonauts back in January<\/a>. That will go a long way to replacing All-CFLer Wynton McManis<\/a> in the linebacking corps.<\/p>\n

Robert Priester<\/a> and DaShaun Amos<\/a> are also likely returning to the Argonauts from reported deals in the Communication Window.<\/p>\n

Clearly the attention was on the defensive side of the ball with the only other reported deal to get agreed upon for the Argonauts was with pass rusher Jonathan Kongbo.<\/p>\n

MONTREAL ALOUETTES<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was fairly quiet for Danny Maciocia and the reigning East Division champions. Sure there was the news of signing Devonte Dedmon ahead<\/a> of the Free Agency Communication Window opening and the biggest news was likely the retirement of Marc-Antoine Dequoy.<\/a><\/p>\n

But as for any reported deals, it was backup quarterback Dustin Crum<\/a> and receiver Jerreth Sterns that have agreed to terms with Montreal. Crum could be a crucial piece for the Alouettes if Davis Alexander<\/a> still has injury issues in 2025 but they\u2019re hoping that won\u2019t be the case.<\/p>\n

Sterns adds a bit of depth after the Alouettes moved on from Austin Mack, who landed in Edmonton.<\/a><\/p>\n

OTTAWA REDBLACKS<\/p>\n

Vice-president of football operations Shawn Burke is clearly the executive on the hottest seat.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s now changed head coaches and if they can\u2019t win with Ryan Dinwiddie moving in, the heat will get hotter on him.<\/p>\n

So\u2026 spend.<\/p>\n

And spend Burke is.<\/p>\n

How did the Communication Window go this far?<\/p>\n

Potentially incoming<\/a> are running back Greg Bell<\/a>, linebacker Brian Cole Jr., coverage linebacker\/defensive back C.J. Reavis<\/a>, linebacker A.J. Allen<\/a>, defensive end Habakkuk Baldonado<\/a>, defensive back Demerio Houston<\/a>, linebacker Michael Brodrique<\/a>, quarterback Jake Maier<\/a> and receiver Ayden Eberhardt.<\/p>\n

I might have missed someone. I apologize, but it was a whirlwind of a few days for those REDBLACKS fans who want to see this team out of the basement.<\/p>\n

The biggest moves come in the form of Grey Cup champions A.J. Allen<\/a> and C.J. Reavis<\/a> from the Roughriders. Those two were massive for Corey Mace\u2019s defence. Both are just entering their prime with a lot more to give.<\/p>\n

On offence, running back Greg Bell<\/a> is an exceptional talent that can do so much for Dinwiddie\u2019s offence.<\/p>\n

Again, however, this is just an indication of how many holes were necessary to fill. It\u2019ll be tough to bring it all together in year one but there is definitely not a lack of talent making its way to Ottawa.<\/p>\n

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS<\/p>\n

In Hamilton comes another team that was pretty darn good last season that did their work by extending key players rather than needing to spend in free agency, but the one major move just happened.<\/p>\n

Pending free agent Wynton McManis<\/a> is moving down the QEW to Hamilton from Toronto.<\/a> That is a massive move for the Tiger-Cats defence!<\/p>\n

The other major move came with Tre Ford<\/a>\u2019s addition to the quarterback room after his release in Edmonton.<\/a><\/p>\n

As for the Communication Window, it was more depth moves with reported deals with receiver Tyson Middlemost, defensive lineman Kene Onyeka<\/a>, and offensive lineman Eric Lofton.<\/p>\n