Taylor Shire
Regina Leader-Post
Welcome to another edition of the Roughriders Mailbag where we answer questions readers have about the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
With the 2025 CFL season in the book — and a Grey Cup secured for the Green and White — we turn our focus to the off-season where the Roughriders will have plenty of work to do if they want to defend their title next season.
The most important thing over the next few months for general manager Jeremy O’Day is to sign some key players from the championship squad who are pending free agents. O’Day said this week that he would like to sign most of them — obviously — while many have said they would like to be back, even at a discount.
While the Roughriders have already added players to next year’s roster this off-season, including prior draft picks Liam Hoskins and Seth Hundeby while also retaining Darius Washington and D’Sean Mimbs, those are mostly depth moves for next season with the bigger re-signings still to come.
Until then, let’s address some questions readers have as December is nearing.
If you’d like to submit a question for the next Roughriders mailbag, email your inquiry to: SaskatchewanRoughriders@Postmedia.com
- Who is the top pending free agent aside from Harris?
Yes, quarterback Trevor Harris would be the top pending free agent for the Roughriders entering the off-season. But after listening to O’Day and Harris during their respective year-end media availabilities, it sounds like both want to get a deal done.
Harris will be 40 when next season begins but has shown no signs of slowing down. In fact, he’s coming off his best statistical season since 2018 when he was with Ottawa. Considering he was able to stay healthy last season as he missed just one game due to injury before going on to be named the Grey Cup MVP, O’Day should make him a fair offer similar to what he earned this season. I don’t expect this to take long and maybe it could be similar timing to last year when Harris signed a one-year extension on Dec. 6.
But to answer the question, there’s a good argument for who the top pending free agent is besides Harris.
Would it be running back A.J. Ouellette, who had a 1,000-yard season and is a key leader in the room? He mentioned during locker cleanout day that he’d be willing to take a discount to stay in green and white, but the offer from O’Day still has to be fair. There may be a few running backs on the free agent marker, like Brady Oliveira, but keeping Ouellette might make the most sense when it comes to Saskatchewan’s desire to running it back.
If not Ouellette, then how about any of the receivers who are pending free agents? KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers — who both went over 1,000 yards last year — are without deals and should be given extensions, along with Canadians Kian Schaffer-Baker and Samuel Emilus. However, all could be deserving of a raise and how does that fit under the salary cap? (More on this later)
Or maybe the top free agent is Jermarcus Hardrick, who was called the “heartbeat of the team” by head coach Corey Mace during Grey Cup week. The right tackle was named the CFL’s top offensive lineman in 2025 and is certainly deserving of an extension as well.
Defensively, it would be a massive boost if the Roughriders were able to re-sign Tevaughn Campbell, who signed a one-year deal last off-season after a six-year NFL stint. He’s got his ring, which is why he came back to the CFL, but is he enticed by the attempt to get two? During locker room cleanout day, he said he was undecided about his future, so we will see.
You could also consider Canadian linebacker A.J. Allen as a top priority for O’Day. He had a breakout season in his first year as a starter and any time you have a Canadian who can make an impact defensively, you’d be wise to keep him around.
When you look at the roster, is there any starter who wouldn’t be worth extending? Considering the success the team had in 2025, it would be tough to come up with a name who wouldn’t be worth re-signing at fair value. However, we know some players will try and capitalize on their individual and team success in the open market, and rightfully so.
- Who are the key players actually under contract?
Yes, there are many pending free agents and yes, many will be signed before they actually hit the open market. But who’s actually under contract for next season?
First of all, offensive lineman Logan Ferland — who has shown he can play anywhere along the line — is under contract after signing a two-year extension in April. Now where he plays next year on the offensive line is a question that will be answered.
Defensively, the Roughriders have three top players under contract in linebacker Jameer Thurman, halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. and cornerback Marcus Sayles. Those are three key pieces you can certainly build a defence around, but I expect many more starters from last year to also be back in 2026.
- Which position group will be hit the hardest this off-season?
As mentioned, there are several pending free agents but many of those starters should be back by the time free agency opens in a few months.
However, the Roughriders would be hard pressed to keep every receiver on their roster. That position group could look different in 2026.
Johnson and Meyers are both deserving of more money after 1,000-yard seasons this year. Can O’Day fit them in the salary cap alongside Emilus and Schaffer-Baker, who are obvious players to re-sign? That might be the biggest question mark heading into the off-season.
Canadian Tommy Nield had a strong first season with the Green and White and is another name to bring back as a potential fifth starter. But again, is there money to go around for all five of those players by the time you re-sign everyone else?
Joe Robustelli would also be worth bringing back while Shawn Bane Jr. could have the opportunity to earn a better contract elsewhere considering the Roughriders didn’t use him last year after he recovered from his knee injury. Or maybe he would replace one of Johnson or Meyers if the Roughriders can’t retain both?
Ajou Ajou, who joined the Roughriders midseason after an NFL stint, should be back next season while Mitch Picton is a pending free agent. While Picton, a 30-year-old Regina product, was a healthy scratch for parts of the season, he’s always stepped up when called upon, including during the Grey Cup, and should be given a fair extension if he’d like one.
