The Saskatchewan Roughriders have retained a sizeable and strong nucleus from their 2025 CFL championship team.<\/p>\n
Forty-nine of the 77 players who appeared on the Roughriders\u2019 active roster, practice roster or one-game injured list as last season peaked are under contract for 2026 and, in some cases, beyond.<\/p>\n
Only one of the Roughriders\u2019 league-high nine All-CFL selections from 2025 will suit up for a rival team during the upcoming season.<\/p>\n
Cover linebacker C.J. Reavis, who signed with the Ottawa REDBLACKS when the formal free-agency period began on Tuesday, is the one exception.<\/p>\n
Seven All-CFLers \u2014 centre Logan Ferland, right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, right guard Jacob Brammer, receiver KeeSean Johnson, middle linebacker Jameer Thurman, cornerback Tevaughn Campbell and defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. \u2014 will return to the Green and White.<\/p>\n
Defensive tackle Micah Johnson joined the team\u2019s coaching staff after back-to-back All-CFL seasons.<\/p>\n
Hardrick, Campbell and KeeSean Johnson were initially eligible to test free agency.<\/p>\n
Thurman, who was under contract through the 2026 season, recently extended his deal by an additional year. Ferland\u2019s services are also secured through 2027.<\/p>\n
Milligan Jr., the CFL\u2019s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2024, is obligated to the Roughriders through this season. He added one year to an existing contract on Jan. 31, 2025.<\/p>\n
Milligan Jr. had one of Saskatchewan\u2019s three interceptions in its 25-17 Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Nov. 16 in Winnipeg.<\/p>\n
Three Roughriders players received prestigious individual honours during Grey Cup Week. Quarterback Trevor Harris was named the Grey Cup Game\u2019s Most Valuable Player.<\/p>\n
Receiver Samuel Emilus was recognized as the championship contest\u2019s Most Valuable Canadian. Three days earlier, Hardrick had been named the league\u2019s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.<\/p>\n
Harris, Emilus and Hardrick entered the off-season as pending free agents before re-signing in December.<\/p>\n
Saskatchewan began the off-season with 44 prospective free agents. O\u2019Day halved that lengthy list by the time the market officially opened.<\/p>\n
Along the way, the Roughriders re-signed A.J. Ouellette, whose 1,222 rushing yards placed him second in the league last season.<\/p>\n
\u201cFree agency was pretty unique for us this year,\u201d Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O\u2019Day said on Wednesday. \u201cPretty much every position that you looked across the board, our free agents were top targets, and so it was a challenge with managing who we would get back and who we\u2019d be able to offer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sixteen of the team\u2019s 24 Grey Cup starters are to return. The total of 16 does not include KeeSean Johnson, who missed the post-season with a knee injury after catching 86 passes for 1,159 yards in 16 games in 2025.<\/p>\n
Of the 45 players who dressed for Saskatchewan in the Grey Cup Game, 32 are under contract for 2026. Again, that list excludes Johnson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe started really early with free agency,\u201d O\u2019Day said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t just this last week for us. It started right after the season with signing some of our key guys back. Obviously, we attacked it. We had a large number.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere has been a lot of talk about how many free agents we have, but we had quite a quite a few guys on the roster at the end of the year due to injuries and whatnot. I think we had an abnormal number of free agents (as a result).<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we\u2019re happy where we\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n
The player retention rate of 63.6 per cent (49 of 77) will improve if some of the eight as-yet-unsigned players return.<\/p>\n
As it stands, the percentage already exceeds that of the 2013-14 off-season.<\/p>\n
Of the 67 players who finished the 2013 season with the Grey Cup-champion Roughriders, 39 \u2014 or 58.2 per cent \u2014\u00a0were back the following year.<\/p>\n
Nineteen members of the Roughriders were eligible to test free agency after the 2013 season. The ranks of free agents swelled across the league after one-year contracts became part of a Collective Bargaining Agreement that was signed in 2015. The previous minimum length was one year plus an option.<\/p>\n
Retention rates for the Roughriders\u2019 five Grey Cup championship teams are as follows:<\/p>\n
1966:\u00a090.9% (30 of 33 players returned in the pre-free agency era).<\/p>\n
1989: 70.2% (33 of 47).<\/p>\n
2007: 66.2% (45 of 68).<\/p>\n
2013: 58.2% (39 of 67).<\/p>\n
2025: 63.6% (49 of 77; as of Feb. 11).<\/p>\n
Here is the Roughriders\u2019 player-personnel picture entering Day 3 of the 2026 free agency period:<\/p>\n
RETURNEES (49)<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Ajou Ajou (most-recent contract signed Aug. 28, 2025); finished 2025 season on active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 RB Mario Anderson Jr. (July 22, 2025); finished 2025 season on one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 FB Albert Awachie* (Dec. 9, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Chico Bennett Jr. (Nov. 21, 2025); finished 2025 season on practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 RB Thomas Bertrand-Hudon* (Dec. 17, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Jacob Brammer* (Jan. 26, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Antoine Brooks Jr. (April 11, 2024); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Tevaughn Campbell* (Jan. 12, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Kendy Charles (Dec. 1, 2025); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 QB Jack Coan* (Jan. 19, 2026); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Payton Collins (May 2, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Jayden Dalke* (Dec. 16, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Dhel Duncan-Busby (May 6, 2024); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Samuel Emilus* (Dec. 24, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Kerfalla Exume* (Jan. 28, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Logan Ferland (March 31, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB DaMarcus Fields* (Jan. 30, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Jaxon Ford* (Dec. 18, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Zack Fry (Nov. 21, 2023); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Jermarcus Hardrick* (Dec. 9, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 QB Trevor Harris* (Dec. 4, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 K Michael Hughes (Jan. 23, 2026); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Daniel Johnson (Nov. 19, 2024); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC KeeSean Johnson* (Jan. 29, 2026); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Lake Korte-Moore* (Jan. 20, 2026); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Nelson Lokombo* (Jan. 27, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Nafees Lyon (Oct. 6, 2025); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Siaosi Mariner (Jan. 2, 2026); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Benoit Marion* (Feb. 2, 2026); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Aubrey Miller Jr.* (Feb. 2, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Rolan Milligan Jr. (Jan. 31, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC D\u2019Sean Mimbs (Nov. 21, 2025); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 P Jesse Mirco (Sept. 17, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 RB A.J. Ouellette* (Feb. 1, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Aaron Patrick (April 4, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Sheldrick Redwine (Sept. 14, 2025); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Mike Rose* (Jan. 31, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 FB Morgen Runge (Dec. 2, 2024); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Ali Saad (May 12, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Caleb Sanders* (Dec. 22, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Benny Sapp III (Aug. 19, 2025); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Marcus Sayles (Feb. 5, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Kian Schaffer-Baker* (Jan. 19, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 QB Tommy Stevens* (Dec. 5, 2025); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Melique Straker (May 6, 2024); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Jameer Thurman (Jan. 12, 2026); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Darius Washington (Nov. 25, 2025); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Nick Wiebe (May 6, 2024); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Sylvain Yondjouen (Dec. 22, 2025); practice roster.<\/p>\n
DEPARTURES (20)<\/p>\n
\u2022 RET Mario Alford* (signed by Hamilton, Feb. 10); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB A.J. Allen* (signed by Ottawa, Feb. 11); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Habakkuk Baldonado* (signed by Ottawa, Feb. 10); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Shawn Bane Jr.* (released, Jan. 28); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 RB Ka\u2019Deem Carey* (joined Toronto Argonauts\u2019 coaching staff); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Malik Carney* (signed by Edmonton, Feb. 11); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 P Joe Couch (released, Nov. 17); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Charbel Dabire* (signed by Hamilton, Feb. 11); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Micah Johnson* (retired, Jan. 5; joined Roughriders\u2019 coaching staff); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 K Brett Lauther (released, Feb. 2); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 QB Jake Maier* (signed by Ottawa, Feb. 11); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 RB Marcus Major Jr. (released, Feb. 4); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Dohnte Meyers* (signed by Cincinnati, Jan. 8); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Tommy Nield* (signed by Winnipeg, Feb. 10); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Braydon Noll* (signed by Montreal, Feb. 10); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Tuasivi Nomura (released, Nov. 17); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB-DB C.J. Reavis* (signed by Ottawa, Feb. 10); active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Joe Robustelli* (signed by Edmonton, Feb. 10); one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Deshawn Stevens (released, Nov. 17); practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Alphonzo Tuputala (released, Nov. 17); practice roster.<\/p>\n
UNSIGNED (8)<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB C.J. Avery*; one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Philippe Gagnon*; one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LS Jorgen Hus*; active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Sean McEwen*; one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Mitch Picton*; active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Shane Ray*; one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Trevon Tate*; active roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Noah Zerr*; one-game injured list.<\/p>\n
*\u2014Began 2025-26 off-season as pending free agent.<\/p>\n
NEW SIGNINGS (30)<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Devin Adams (Dec. 17); spent 2025 season with Winnipeg Blue Bombers.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Gideon Agyei (Nov. 21); University of Calgary.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Erik Andersen (Nov. 28); Western University.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Sundiata Anderson (Dec. 15); Seattle Seahawks, 2024.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Dayton Black (Dec. 17); Ottawa REDBLACKS.<\/p>\n
\u2022 RB Peny Boone (Feb. 10); Toronto Argonauts practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Collin Brunstein (Dec. 3); Los Angeles Chargers rookie mini-camp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 OL Yoesph Carter (Nov. 13; futures contract); Roughriders training camp\/pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Tyrie Cleveland (Feb. 5); Indianapolis Colts, 2024.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Desmond Evans (Jan. 19); Tennessee Titans training camp\/pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Marcus Haynes (Jan. 22); Indianapolis training camp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DB Garnett Hollis Jr. (Jan. 5); NFL tryouts with Tennessee, Green Bay, Buffalo.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Liam Hoskins (Nov. 25); University of Windsor.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Seth Hundeby (Nov. 26); University of Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Abdul Janneh Jr. (Oct. 29; futures contract); Roughriders training camp\/pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Ali Jennings III (Jan. 8); Green Bay Packers rookie mini-camp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Vi Jones (Jan. 28); Arizona Cardinals training camp\/pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u2022 K Jonathan Kim (Feb. 5); Chicago Bears training camp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Malik Knowles (Dec. 16); San Francisco 49ers training camp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC-RET James Letcher Jr. (Feb. 3); Montreal Alouettes.<\/p>\n
\u2022 QB Jordan McCloud (Jan. 26); Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie mini-camp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Jaylen Pate (Jan. 5); Northwestern, 2024.<\/p>\n
\u2022 QB Brayden Schager (Nov. 19); Roughriders practice roster.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Freddie Swain (Feb. 10); Chicago Bears training camp, 2024.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Davin Vann (Dec. 15); Cleveland Browns rookie mini-camp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL James Vaughters (Feb. 10); Winnipeg Blue Bombers.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Tyron Vrede (Feb. 10); Ottawa REDBLACKS.<\/p>\n
\u2022 DL Justin Weaver (Jan. 26); Carolina Panthers training camp.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Daniel Wiebe (Nov. 27); University of Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n
\u2022 REC Juwann Winfree (Feb. 10); Houston Texans pre-season.<\/p>\n
\u2022 LB Josh Woods (Feb. 4); B.C. Lions.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Saskatchewan Roughriders have retained a sizeable and strong nucleus from their 2025 CFL championship team. Forty-nine of…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":470243,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[437],"tags":[49,48,521,522,520,82],"class_list":["post-470242","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cfl","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-canadian-football-league","tag-canadianfootballleague","tag-cfl","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470242","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=470242"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470242\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/470243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=470242"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=470242"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=470242"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}