Last September, CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston unveiled the league’s two-part plan to improve its game and make it more entertaining for fans. The most controversial changes were for 2027 when the field would be shortened by 10 yards (to a length of 100 yards), endzones by five yards (to 15 yards) and goalposts would move to the back of the reconfigured end zones.

Johnston believes moving the goalposts will result in more touchdowns scored. Philpot, of Delta, B.C.,and entering his fifth season as a receiver with the Calgary Stampeders, initially balked at the changes but has since softened his stance.

“I wasn’t too happy in the beginning because I grew up with the Canadian game, I grew up a fan of it,” Philpot said recently. “I’m not too fond of change but I do agree there is a better place for the goalposts and I think you could open up the offence, for sure.

“There’ve been instances where we’ve hit the goalposts in the middle of the field for wide-open touchdowns and there’s nothing worse. It’s hard to tell if it will improve the game but at the end of the day you want it to be exciting and I think whatever we can do to go in that direction is good.”

Philpot, 25, is coming off his most productive CFL campaign. The six-foot, 190-pound receiver had 61 catches for a career-best 830 yards with three touchdowns.

More importantly, Calgary (11-7) finished third in the West Division to return to the CFL playoffs. However, the Stampeders’ season ended with a 33-30 semifinal loss to the B.C. Lions.

Calgary has reached the playoffs in three of Philpot’s four CFL seasons but has failed to earn a post-season victory. The franchise hasn’t won the Grey Cup since 2018.

With Calgary hosting the ’26 CFL championship, this season would be an ideal time for the Stampeders to reverse those fortunes.

“At the end of the day, wins and championships are what you’re remembered for,” Philpot said. “I go into every season expecting to be in that final game and it’s definitely enticing this year, for sure, with the Grey Cup being in Calgary.”

Despite last year’s milestone, Philpot feels he has plenty of room for improvement.

“I can get better in my route-running and ability to see the field,” he said. “The thing about Vernon (Calgary quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.) is he knows where he’s going pre-snap so if you can be in that right spot at the right time, that’s what he’s looking for.

“It’s a whole timing thing that just comes with comfortability. The way I feel now going into this season is super comfortable, I’ve made the plays so now it’s just go out and be consistent.”

Calgary boasted the CFL’s top rushing attack last season, Adams’s first with the club. Dedrick Mills ran for a league-best 1,409 yards and finished tied for tops in rushing TDs (11) as the Stampeders averaged a league-leading 126.7 yards on the ground per game.

Adams still threw for 4,247 yards with 21 TDs and 14 interceptions but Dominique Rhymes — Calgary’s leading receiver last year with 50 catches for 886 yards and six TDs — has retired and Canadian Damien Alford (CFL-best 20.4-yard average per catch last year) is with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. However, veteran Reggie Begelton is expected back after missing most of 2025 with a knee injury.

Still, many pre-season prognosticators have low expectations of Calgary this season. Philpot is anxious to do his part to prove the doubters wrong.

“I think just with the extra motivation of us getting ranked low again and the Grey Cup being in Calgary, we’re going to be a forced to be reckoned with right out of the gate,” he said.

The six-foot-one, 285-pound defensive tackle re-signed with Toronto in November following a stint with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. In 2024, Holley helped the Argos win the Grey Cup, finishing tied for the league lead in sacks in his first CFL season.

Holley and teammate Jake Ceresna were among five players to post eight sacks that season as Toronto registered a CFL-leading 48 overall. Folarin Orimolade, Derek Parish, and Canadian Robbie Smith all added six sacks for a front that had balance and could get to the quarterback on its own.

Only Parish spent last season with Toronto (five sacks) before being released in January. Defensive end Andrew Chatfield Jr. had a team-high seven sacks as the Argos (41) were fourth overall, but linebacker Aaron Casey was second on the squad with six as the defensive line had trouble mounting a consistent rush.

Enter Holley, who, from his position, has the most direct line to the passer.

“We always believe the closer to the ball, the better your team has to be,” said Mike Miller, Toronto’s first-year head coach. “Ralph coming back makes us better.

“Not just from a player standpoint but from a person standpoint, from a human being. Definitely the type of guy you want in your locker room.”

GM Mike (Pinball) Clemons said Holley gives Toronto more than a dominant tackle.

“From a character standpoint, he makes us better from the word go,” Clemons said. “As well, he’s a tremendous leader on the team.

“He plays hard every down, he’s a great example of what Coach Mike has really been speaking to this entire off-season. We’re tickled to have him back.”

Predictably, defence was a priority for Toronto (5-13) after missing last year’s playoffs.

The Argos dipped into free agency to sign linebacker Adarius Pickett, defensive tackle Dewayne Hendrix, Canadian defensive end Jonathan Kongbo and veteran defensive backs DaShaun Amos, Robert Priester and Canadian Enock Makonzo after leading the CFL last season in most offensive points (28.8 per game) and offensive TDs (54) allowed.

The Argos also signed Canadian defensive end Paris Shand, a ’25 draft pick who spent time with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.

Toronto finished tied with Calgary for most defensive TDs (five) while allowing the fewest pass attempts (500) and second-fewest completions (352). But the Argos were second-worst against the run (105.7 yards per game) and last in completion percentage (72.4), 30-plus yard completions (39) and TD passes (35).

The return of Amos and Priester will bolster Toronto’s secondary. Both won two Grey Cups with the Argos (2022, ’24) before spending last season with Hamilton and Ottawa, respectively.

A big hole Toronto must fill is at middle linebacker with the departure of veteran Wynton McManis (Hamilton Tiger-Cats). The six-foot, 220-pound McManis also helped the Argos win two Grey Cups and twice was a CFL all-star over his four seasons with the club.

McManis missed 11 games the last two seasons with injuries, allowing Issac Darkangelo to get playing time. Last season, the 25-year-old Darkangelo had 82 tackles (60 defensive, 22 special teams), two sacks and two forced fumbles.

Pickett’s return — he was the East Division’s top defensive player with Toronto in 2023 — will certainly help. He joins Canadian linebacker Cameron Judge, who posted a team-high 83 tackles (79 defensive, four special teams), three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a TD last season.

Toronto’s most important returnee, though, will be quarterback Chad Kelly. The 2023 CFL outstanding player didn’t play last season after suffering a broken leg in the ’24 East final.

Among Toronto’s off-season moves was signing Canadian offensive lineman Dakoda Shepley. The six-foot-five, 290-pound Windsor, Ont., native spent time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2019) as well as in the NFL with San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, Indianapolis and the New York Jets (2018, 2020-25).

Miller said Kelly, 32, has been cleared medically to participate in training camp, which opens in May.

“He continues to work and as I’ve said before, we have no reason to think otherwise,” said Miller, who served as Toronto’s quarterback coach from 2022-25. “He’ll be ready to start training camp, and he’ll be our No. 1 quarterback.”

Last season, veteran Nick Arbuckle set career highs in starts (15), passes (504), completions (365, 72.4 per cent), yards (4,370), TDs (26) and interceptions (15). He’s under contract through 2026.

The 40-year-old native of Port Moody, B.C., was named the CFL’s coach of the year for the first time Wednesday. 

The honour followed Mace earning his first Grey Cup title as a head coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes in November.

Montreal’s Jason Maas was the award finalist. He won it in 2024, with Mace being the runner-up.

The Riders also received the inaugural Ted Goveia Football Operations Award, which recognizes a club’s football operations department for outstanding achievement in scouting, player identification, roster building and leadership.

Goveia, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats general manager, died in September at the age of 55 after being diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

Hamilton businessman Ron Foxcroft received the Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award.

Mace guided the Riders to a CFL-best 12-6 regular-season record in his second year as the club’s head coach. Saskatchewan finished the season allowing the fewest points (22.7 per game) and rushing yards (76 per game) while registering the second-best net offence (382.6 yards per game).

Mace led the Riders to just the fifth CFL championship in their history.

Voting for the award was conducted by members of the Football Reporters of Canada and nine CFL head coaches. 

Mace received 39 of the 53 completed ballots and becomes the eighth Saskatchewan coach to earn the honour. He is the first since Chris Jones in 2018.

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The Lions named Washington as their linebacker coach Wednesday. 

Washington began his CFL coaching career with B.C. in 2008, spending six seasons as defensive backs coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2014. He remained in that job until becoming the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive co-ordinator/defensive backs coach in 2019. Washington was let go by the Ticats during the 2024 season.

Washington played defensive back for 11 CFL seasons with the Montreal Alouettes (1997-02) and Lions (2003-07). He registered 483 tackles, 48 special-teams tackles, 17 interceptions, 12 fumble recoveries, and one sack over 156 regular-season games.

Washington won two Grey Cups as a player (2002, 2006) and another as a coach (2011).

Buck Pierce returns for a second season as the Lions’ head coach, offensive co-ordinator and quarterback coach. 

The remainder of his staff includes: Mike Benevides (defensive co-ordinator); Cory McDiarmid (special-teams co-ordinator); Kevin Bourgoin (receivers coach, pass-game co-ordinator; Paul Charbonneau (offensive-line coach, run-game co-ordinator); Kristian Matte (running backs, assistant offensive-line coach); Ryan Phillips (secondary coach, pass-game co-ordinator); Randy Melvin (defensive line coach); and Derek Oswalt ( assistant receivers coach).

The six-foot-two, 307-pound offensive lineman won’t test at the CFL combine, which begins Friday in Edmonton, after participating in Purdue’s pro day March 4. But the Winnipeg native is in Alberta for interviews with league scouts, coaches and front-office personnel.

“I don’t think anything is really over,” Vaccaro said. “I’m still training each and every day trying to be the best version of myself and preparing for a potential opportunity with a team.

“As for the interviews, I’m just going to go out there and be myself. I’m ready. I’m excited.”

Vaccaro has a definite image he wants to project to CFL officials in each sit-down.

“I hope they see a hard-working guy, a humble individual,” he said. “Someone who’s ready to go play for an organization and give it his all.”

Vaccaro appeared in all 12 of Purdue’s games in 2025, seeing action on offence and special teams. He played 22 snaps in the Boilermakers’ season finale, a 56-3 loss to eventual NCAA champion Indiana on Nov. 28.

“Proving to myself mentally that last game that I could play at this level was a good step for me,” Vaccaro said. “Every day I wanted to show up and be the best version of myself.

“I think the biggest thing I learned (at Purdue) was to trust yourself, trust your training and trust the process. Wherever life takes you, wherever football takes you, just go with it.”

Vaccaro transferred to Purdue after spending the first three years of his collegiate career at Manitoba. In 2024, he captured the J.P. Metras Trophy as Canadian university football’s best down lineman and was named a first-team all-Canadian as a left guard.

He helped the Bisons rush for a school-record 2,016 yards that also was tops in U Sports. Vaccaro cracked Manitoba’s starting lineup at left tackle as an 18-year-old freshman, and in 2023 was a Canada West all-star and first team all-Canadian at left guard.

Vacarro began playing football at Winnipeg’s St. Paul’s High School. He transferred to Clearwater Academy International in Florida for his senior season when the global pandemic forced the cancellation of football at the Manitoba institution.

But it wasn’t until he got to the University of Manitoba that Vaccaro began entertaining the possibility of a pro football career. He credits veterans Geoff Gray (NFL stints with Green Bay, Cleveland and the New York Jets, 2018-19 and 2021-23 with Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and Zach Williams (2019, 2021-present, Calgary Stampeders) with setting the standard for Bisons offensive linemen.

“I’d say where that switch really turned on was my freshman year at the U of M,” he said. “Just watching (Gray and Williams) play and then get drafted made me think maybe I could do something (with) this football career.”

Vaccaro certainly didn’t hurt his ’26 CFL draft stock at Purdue’s pro day.

He posted 28 reps in the 225-pound bench press, covered the 40-yard dash in 5.38 seconds and recorded a 29-inch vertical jump and eight-feet eight-inch broad jump. He ran the short shuttle in 4.83 seconds and three-cone drill in 7.94 seconds.

“I wouldn’t say I’m happy, I’m more satisfied,” he said of his pro day results. “I’d love to do better on my 40, I had a figure in my head … and I feel like I wanted to touch 30 on the bench press.

“Like I said, I’m satisfied with where I’m at, But there’s always room for improvement with my pro day, for sure.”

Vaccaro is on the radar of all nine CFL teams, as he was ranked No. 19 on the scouting bureau’s winter list of the top-20 prospects for the April 28 draft. Ideally, returning to Manitoba with the Blue Bombers would be nice but Vaccaro is keeping an open mind regarding where he might end up.

“I’m really open to any opportunity,” he said. “Honestly, I’m looking for a team that wants me, can coach me and is one I can give my all to every day.

“But I don’t like to look too far into the future. I don’t know what the future holds so I really just focus on the day and winning it each and every one.”

The American running back/returner signed with the Calgary Stampeders on Tuesday.

The five-foot-10, 185-pound McAllister spent the 2023 season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, appearing in 16 regular-season games. He registered 41 kickoff returns for 1,037 yards, 56 punt returns for 602 yards and seven missed-field-goal returns for 408 yards and a touchdown.

He also had 27 catches for 364 yards and two touchdowns while running 13 times for 52 yards. McAllister’s 2,463 all-purpose yards led the CFL, as was his 25.3-yard average on kickoffs, and he was Hamilton’s nominee for the league’s top special-teams performer.

McAllister signed with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders in 2024 and after scoring two touchdowns during the pre-season he made three regular-season appearances. McAllister re-signed with the Raiders in January 2025 but was released May 12.

He was most recently under contract with the Columbus Aviators of the United Football League.

Masoli, an American who spent last season with the B.C. Lions, and Rice, who played in 2025 with the Montreal Alouettes, are both currently CFL free agents. Joining them in the program will be Calgary offensive lineman Bryce Bell, Toronto linebacker Jack Cassar, Hamilton safety Stavros Katsantonis, Winnipeg linebacker Redha Kramdi and Stampeders defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade.

The program is a joint venture between the league and CFL Players’ Association. It provides participants with a behind-the-scenes look at the business of the game and potential opportunities after football.

The participants will attend information sessions and do job shadowing at the CFL’s head office in such departments as football operations, social media and content, marketing and communications and partnerships.

Upon completing the program, each player will be paired with a mentor for ongoing advice and guidance on furthering their careers away from the field.

The Montreal Alouettes announced earlier this off-season that Anthony Calvillo, their offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach, would take over play-calling duties from Maas, the team’s head coach. But Maas said Wednesday that Calvillo began calling plays midway through last season, when Montreal reached the Grey Cup before losing 25-17 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I felt comfortable with it, and to me, it culminated with a Grey Cup appearance, so obviously I felt like it went pretty well,” Maas said. “AC had proven himself to me and done such a good job with handling the offence, the installs, and the putting together.

“The collaboration with the whole staff has just been amazing, so relinquishing the play-calling at the end was the easy part for me.”

Maas was hired as Montreal’s head coach before the 2023 season and said the plan was always to surrender play-calling duties when the time was right.

“Working with AC and the staff over the last three years has been seamless, awesome and a great experience,” Maas said. “I know we were going to be in great hands when that time came.

“Midway through the year last year, I talked to (GM Danny Maciocia) and felt like it was time to go in a new direction.”

Calvillo is eminently qualified to handle play-calling duties.

He spent 16 of his 20 CFL seasons as Montreal’s starter, winning three Grey Cups and three outstanding player awards. Calvillo played five campaigns for late head coach Don Matthews (2002-2006), who routinely allowed his quarterbacks to call their own plays and make audibles at the line of scrimmage.

Calvillo retired in 2013 as pro football’s all-time passing leader (79,816 yards) and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2017. He has served as a coach with both the Alouettes (receivers, quarterbacks and offensive co-ordinator) and Montreal Carabins (assistant head coach, quarterbacks, offensive co-ordinator).

Calvillo earned his fourth career Grey Cup win and first as an Alouettes coach in 2023.

Maas said not having to call plays will allow him to better manage games.

“It’s hard because as a head coach you’re thinking about everything, but you still really have to think about your play-calling and how you’re going to go about it,” he said. Every series, you’re constantly analyzing the game and thinking about every single playcall you make on top of trying to manage the game.

“I’ll be as intrigued as the calls are being made (and) I’ll have pretty good insight as to why they’re being called and which ones are coming. I’m still involved and still enjoying it, it will just be a different experience come game day.”

Also, this off-season, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats named quarterbacks coach Jarryd Baines offensive co-ordinator. Head coach Scott Milanovich had also handled the role but remains the play-caller, at least for now.

“I’m trying to prepare Jarryd for that step,” Milanovich said. “I’ve let him call a game in the pre-season and try to trend him in that manner.

“Jarryd is basically my right hand … he’s going to be able to handle the installs, he’s great at that. He handles our protection meetings, he organizes things for us offensively, but I’m not prepared yet to give up the playcall.”

Baines has been with Hamilton since 2016 when he was hired as an offensive quality control coach. 

The Ottawa native took over as Hamilton’s quarterbacks coach in 2024. Veteran Bo Levi Mitchell has been the East Division’s outstanding player in each of the last two years. He surpassed 5,000 passing yards in both seasons, including a career-best 5,451 in 2024, and recorded more than 400 completions each year, with a career-high 428 in 2025.

Milanovich likened Hamilton’s situation to his time as an assistant in Montreal under Marc Trestman. As the Alouettes’ assistant head coach, offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach, he made some calls but Trestman handled most.

Milanovich became the Toronto Argonauts head coach in 2012 and handled the offence in the club’s Grey Cup championship run, with Maas serving as quarterbacks coach.

The veteran receiver signed a one-year deal with Winnipeg, allowing him to call it a career with the franchise.

Wolitarsky, 30, spent seven of his eight CFL seasons with Winnipeg (2017-19, 2021-24). He was with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last year, suiting up for two games.

Wolitarsky won two Grey Cups with Winnipeg (2019, 2021). He recorded 227 catches for 2,954 yards and 18 touchdowns in 96 regular-season games with the club.

The California native played collegiately at the University of Minnesota. But Winnipeg selected him in the 2017 CFL supplemental draft after discovering he qualified as a Canadian because his mother was born in Montreal.

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The fan favourite with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced his retirement from football on Sunday.

The 31-year-old quarterback played four seasons in the CFL, all with Winnipeg.

Streveler threw for 4,144 yards with 26 touchdowns and 31 interceptions over 66 career games with the Bombers.

The six-foot-one, 216-pound pivot was also a short-yardage specialist and scored 41 rushing touchdowns in his CFL career.

After two seasons with Winnipeg in 2018 and 2019, with a Grey Cup win in the final year, Streveler headed to the NFL for three seasons. He appeared in nine games with the Arizona Cardinals and New York Jets, including one start with Arizona.

Streveler then returned to Winnipeg for the 2024 and 2025 seasons, where he was the backup for Zach Collaros.

Streveler endeared himself to Bombers fans at the Grey Cup parade in 2019 when he went shirtless with a fur coat and cowboy hat.

In his speech to the fans, he said: “I’m lit right now, you’re all lit right now — this is amazing — I love you guys, man.”

“To think it’s been eight years is honestly insane,” he said to bluebombers.com over the weekend. “I remember me and Woli (Drew Wolitarsky) in the locker room looking at guys like Matt Nichols, Weston Dressler and all those veterans and you’re thinking, ‘Man, if I could make it to 10 years…’ In my mind I always said if I could play football until I was 30 that would be a great run. So, to be able to get there… I have no other feelings except for being thankful and grateful for what the game gave me. I’m also proud of what I was able to accomplish and where I was able to go.

“The No. 1 thing I love about this game is the bonds it creates, the relationships you make. Those are the most cherished memories and most cherished things I’ll take away.”

“I always prided myself on being a good teammate,” Streveler added. “I never cared about stats or anything else other than how do my teammates and how do my coaches feel about me. That mattered more than anything. I hope that’s my legacy, that people say, ‘That guy was a great teammate. That was a great guy in the locker room and he gave great effort.’”

The league announced Friday that the salary cap for the 2025 season will rise to $6,280,514, an increase of $218,149 from 2025. This follows the Defined League Revenue exceeding the previous season’s baseline by $10 million.

It is the second straight year that the league has seen a salary cap increase.

“The energy around our sport has never been stronger,” CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston wrote in a statement. “We’re seeing meaningful growth in fan engagement and revenue, and we’re channelling that momentum back into the league. As our business expands, the players who make our game outstanding are sharing in the upside, reinforcing a model built for long-term success.”

Revenue is split between the league and the CFL Players’ Association who decided to direct the majority of its share toward increasing the salary cap. The CFLPA also approved an additional $50,000 per club to enhance pre-season compensation for veteran players.

Since the league and players agreed to a new CBA in 2022, the cap has climbed $530,514 above the original $5.75 million figure.

“Our revenue-sharing model demonstrates what’s possible when players and the League work collectively,” CFLPA president Solomon Elimimian wrote in a statement. “This isn’t just a number; it’s an investment in our players’ careers, their families, and the long-term health of the game. As the talent that drives fan interest, it’s essential that player well-being continues to grow alongside the League’s growth.”

League revenue has grown by $31 million over the 2022 baseline figure that was negotiated when the current CBA first came into effect.

The league’s free agency period opens on Feb. 10 with the season opener scheduled for June 4 between the Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

— with files from the Canadian Press

The Roughriders have signed running back A.J. Ouellette to a one-year contract extension, the team announced Sunday.

A two-time CFL all-star, Ouellette was a key piece for the reigning Grey Cup champion Riders, recording 83 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in the big game.

Ouellette, 30, finished second in the CFL in rushing yards in the regular season, only behind Calgary’s Dedrick Mills.

The five-foot-eight back recorded 1,222 yards and nine total touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, his second season rushing for over 1,000 yards.

Undrafted in the NFL out of Ohio, Ouellette spent the first four years of his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts, before signing a two-year deal with Saskatchewan in 2024.

The veteran American receiver announced his retirement Friday after eight CFL seasons. Rhymes, 32, of Miami, said he entertained offers this off-season as a free agent but began seriously pondering retirement roughly two months ago as he and his wife, Mackenzie, prepare for the birth of their first child in April.

“It’s been in my mind that it might be time to pivot into another direction,” Rhymes said. “I was totally happy (with retirement) because I’ve played football for a long time, I’ve had fun and given it my all.

“I’ve impacted so many people along the way and so many people have impacted me. I literally have no regrets … I’m someone who has fun in life and I’m ready for the next phase because I know it’s going to be just as fun.”

Rhymes has more than impending fatherhood to look forward to. This off-season he earned his firefighters’ certification and is working toward becoming a fireman in Ottawa– where he and his family will call home.

Rhymes has also started his electrical apprenticeship.

“I’m so at peace,” Rhymes said. “I’m in the phase of my next life so it’s super great.”

Rhymes registered 372 career catches for 5,822 yards with 32 TDs in 110 regular-season contests with Ottawa (2017-19, 2024), B.C. (2021-23) and Calgary (2025). Three times he cracked the 1,000-yard receiving plateau.

Rhymes’ best CFL season came in 2022 when he established career highs in targets (122), catches (85), yards (1,401) and touchdown grabs (11) with B.C. Rhymes was named a league all-star that year.

The six-foot-four, 215-pound Rhymes was Calgary’s leading receiver last season — his first with the club — registering 50 receptions for a team-high 886 yards and six touchdowns. His 17.7-yard average per catch was a career high.

Calgary posted an 11-7 record in 2025 to finish third in the West Division. The Stampeders returned to the CFL playoffs after finishing last in 2024 with a 5-12-1 record.

But Calgary’s season ended with a 33-30 West Division semifinal loss to B.C. Rhymes finished with four catches for 66 yards.

“Dom has achieved a remarkable career and numerous accomplishments on the field,” said Kenny Kim of Summit Athletes, Rhymes’ Florida-based representative. “In my many years of working with him, he has proven himself to be one of the most respectful and genuine of individuals.

“I know he will be a great father to be and that he has a terrific future ahead of him.”

Rhymes said while he knows he’s still physically capable of playing football at a high level, it was important that he decide to leave football and not let the game make the decision for him.

“That’s the biggest thing, I’m going out knowing I was a great player leaving. … I feel like I’m going out on a high,” he said. “All that (being Calgary’s leading receiver and career-best average per catch last year) just means it’s all on my own terms and that’s how you want to do it.

“As an athlete you grow up always thinking you can play every year but then that reality comes to where you think about your family. I’ve got a lot of changes coming in my life and it’s that time to pivot. I’m focused on my family and ready to move past football and start my other careers and be more at home.”

About the only accomplishment missing from Rhymes’ CFL resume is a Grey Cup victory. But Rhymes said he won in so many other ways playing in the CFL.

“Everyone wants to win a championship, that’s the No. 1 goal why you play sports,” he said. “But it (CFL career) has truly been a blessing, I gained so much from it.

“First of all, I gained my wife, I’m gaining a child and a new sense of purpose. Also, I gained so many brothers, friends and family. I took it (playing in Canada) as a blessing from the first day I came up here to the last time I stepped on the field. Canada has been my home since then and I can’t be anything but grateful.”

Rhymes and his wife don’t know the gender of their child yet and plan to wait until it is born. And while he won’t be playing football anymore, Rhymes envisions taking in Redblacks games and enjoying life from a fan’s perspective.

“You might see me at some Ottawa games watching some of my brothers still play with our baby,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

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Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The 28-year-old from Pennsauken, N.J., had 36 defensive tackles, one interception, and a 60-yard fumble return touchdown in 11 games with Winnipeg last season.

Parker missed the 2024 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament sustained in training camp.

He had 50 defensive tackles, 11 special teams stops, one interception and a sack across 21 regular-season games with the Bombers over his first two CFL seasons in 2022 and 2023.

Parker made his playoff debut in the 2022 Western final before recording four defensive tackles in a 24-23 Grey Cup loss to Toronto the next week. 

He added a pair of defensive stops in a 28-24 loss to Montreal in the 2023 Grey Cup.


Henderson, 28, was a 2019 third-round pick of the Rams. He spent a total five seasons with the NFL club, rushing for 1,852 yards on 442 carries while adding 76 catches for 577 yards. He scored 19 touchdowns in 54 regular-season contests.

Henderson was a member of the Rams team that nipped the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20 in Super Bowl LVI.

Lions sign veteran American defensive back Ruffin

Meanwhile, the B.C. Lions signed veteran American defensive back Dionte Ruffin.

The five-foot-11, 183-pound Ruffin spent three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes (2023-25) before being released in January. He began his CFL career with Calgary in 2022, starting nine games before being let go Sept. 30.

Ruffin has appeared in 46 career CFL regular-season games, registering 129 tackles, two special-teams tackles, six interceptions and one forced fumble. He has also scored a touchdown.

Ruffin won a Grey Cup with Montreal in 2023.

Elks release veteran offensive lineman Ivey

Also, the Edmonton Elks released veteran American offensive lineman Martez Ivey.

The six-foot-three, 305-pound Ivey appeared in 66 regular-season games over four seasons with Edmonton. The former Florida Gator began his CFL career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2021, appearing in one game with the club.

Ivey was dealt to Edmonton prior to the ’22 season.

Prior to coming to Canada, Ivey, 30, spent time in the NFL with New England (2019) and Carolina (2021). He was seleced in the second round of the 2020 XFL draft by the Tampa Bay Vipers but the league suspended operations April 10, 2020.

The veteran middle linebacker met with reporters Thursday, a day after signing a one-year deal with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The move came after McManis spent four seasons with the archrival Toronto Argonauts, helping them win two Grey Cups over that span.

“I grew up a (Pittsburgh) Steelers fan, and for me, I always wanted to wear black and yellow or black and gold,” McManis said, a trusty toothpick in the side of his mouth. “Come to find out, I wasn’t meant to be a Pittsburgh Steeler; I was meant to be a Hamilton Tiger-Cat.

“I don’t think it’s going to feel weird. I feel like it will be right at home for me.”

The six-foot, 220-pound McManis registered 62 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and a force fumble in 15 regular-season games with Toronto. The 31-year-old American’s arrival certainly fills a need for Hamilton after Canadian middle linebacker Devin Veresuk signed this off-season with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

Hamilton (11-7) finished atop the East Division last season before losing 19-16 to the Montreal Alouettes in the conference final. The Ticats haven’t won the Grey Cup since 1999, the CFL’s longest championship drought.

McManis, twice a CFL all-star, was slated to become a free agent Tuesday but hit the market early after being released by Toronto.

“I kind of felt I was a little comfortable in Toronto, honestly,” McManis said. “Not in a negative way, but just for me needing to grow and needing to chase greatness.

“Just talking on the phone with Petey (Ticats cornerback Jamal Peters, a former teammate of McManis’s in Toronto) and some of these players … they’re kind of at the same point in their careers that I am … to where ‘Let’s win, let’s get this done.’ Making the decision wasn’t easy, but it’s something I felt I had to do.”

In McManis, the Ticats get a three-time Grey Cup champion (2018 with Calgary, 2022 and ’24 with Toronto). They also have a productive player who has 390 tackles, 52 special-teams tackles, 16 sacks, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles while scoring three defensive touchdowns in 100 career regular-season CFL games.

“I’ll bring excitement, passion, communication, leadership,” McManis said. “I don’t necessarily see myself as just a vocal leader, I’m a day by day, every day, every time you see me, every time we come into contact, we’re about building something, about connecting.

“It’s about making sure we’re all on the same page. I like being around like-minded individuals, I think that’s what carries us to the next level.”

More importantly, McManis doesn’t have to uproot his family to continue his career.

“My wife was all in on it; she understands it’s a business,” McManis said. “My son is all-in also, he loves saying Tiger-Cats now.

“To not have to move your family, that’s big as well. Hamilton is just the perfect spot. A nice home, family environment, and that’s what we’re for.”

Labour Day will certainly have a different flavour this year with McManis facing his former team at Hamilton Stadium. But McManis said he won’t bring anything extra to games versus Toronto.

“I don’t think Toronto should be the only team in the league that’s worried about what’s coming,” he said.

McManis already likes what he sees in his new football home.

“Just going into the lockerroom and seeing every seat is facing each other, that’s big to me,” he said. “I think that makes a lot of sense when you think about this sport and how we play this game.

“I’m just trying to bring what I know, what I know works and helps win games.”

McManis also reunites with Ticats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, who was the starter when the two were teammates with the Stampeders. And with the ’26 Grey Cup being in Calgary, McManis can’t think of a better place for Hamilton to end its championship drought.

“I guess that would just be the perfect story,” he said. 

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed the veteran middle linebacker on Wednesday, a day after he was released by the Toronto Argonauts. McManis joining the Ticats wasn’t much of a surprise, though, as he lives in Toronto year-round and has a daughter and son.

His arrival also fills a need for Hamilton after Canadian middle linebacker Devin Veresuk signed this off-season with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.

McManis had 62 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 15 regular-season games last season.

The Memphis, Tenn., native spent four CFL campaigns with the Argos (2022-25), helping them win Grey Cups in 2022 and 2024.

The six-foot, 220-pound McManis began his CFL career with Calgary (2017-19), winning his first Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018.

“Wynton is one of the premier defenders in our league,” Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich said in a statement. “He plays the game the right way — with physicality, intelligence, and a relentless motor. 

“Beyond what he brings on the field, his experience as a Grey Cup champion and his leadership in the locker room are invaluable, and we’re excited to welcome him to our organization.”

McManis has 390 tackles, 52 special-teams tackles, 16 sacks, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles while scoring three defensive touchdowns in 100 career regular-season CFL games.

Ford, 27, spent the past four seasons with the Edmonton Elks before being released Friday as the club committed to Cody Fajardo as its starter.

The Niagara Falls, Ont., native appeared in 60 career games with Edmonton, passing for 4,651 yards with 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.

He also rushed for 1,129 yards and four touchdowns.

Ford was selected eighth overall by the Elks in the 2022 CFL draft and won the Hec Crighton Trophy as U SPORTS football’s top player in 2021 at the University of Waterloo.

Hamilton head coach Scott Milanovich said Ford will compete for the backup quarterback role behind starter Bo Levi Mitchell.

The Ticats also re-signed Canadian receiver Keaton Bruggeling, who appeared in nine games last season, and signed receiver-returner Xavier Malone.

Bruggeling is set to represent Canada in four-man bobsled at the Milan Cortina Olympics, while Malone last played for the Michigan Panthers of the UFL.

Roughriders release kicker Lauther

The Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders released veteran Canadian kicker Brett Lauther on Monday.

Lauther, 35, of Truro, N.S., made 39-of-54 field goal attempts last season. The 72.2 per cent success ratio was the worst of his eight-year tenure in Saskatchewan.

Lauther was entering his 10th CFL season, starting his career in 2013 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He has made 301-of-370 career field goals (81.4 per cent) and 210-of-225 converts (93.3 per cent).

With Saskatchewan, Lauther made 295-of-360 field-goal attempts. His 81.9 per cent accuracy rate is the best in franchise history for a player with 100 or more tries.

Lauther has amassed 1,113 points over his CFL tenure.

The Roughriders also re-signed defensive lineman Benoit Marion. The Montreal native had 13 tackles in 15 games last season as part of the Roughriders’ special teams.

Lee back with Leos

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions have re-signed defensive back T.J. Lee III to a one-year contract.

Lee returned to the Lions in September after the team originally didn’t re-sign him before the 2025 season. He recorded 31 defensive tackles, one interception and a sack after starting the remaining five regular-season games at halfback.

Lee then recorded nine tackles across two playoff appearances and added a forced fumble in the Western final at Saskatchewan.

A two-time league all-star, Lee has 615 defensive tackles and 29 interceptions over 144 regular-season games with the Lions.

McMahon lands at McMahon

CALGARY — The Stampeders have signed veteran running back Deonta McMahon.

The 25-year-old from Frostproof, Fla., played a total of 39 regular-season contests over three seasons with Toronto and was a member of the Argonauts’ 2024 Grey Cup-championship team.

He amassed 1,588 all-purpose yards and scored nine touchdowns with the Argos, including 578 rushing, 431 receiving, 518 on kickoff returns and 61 on punt returns.

McMahon was released by the Argos on Thursday.

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Veteran Canadian safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy announces CFL retirement

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The team announced the move Tuesday, with Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden saying in a statement that Rourke is the “best player in the league and the face of the CFL.” 

The 27-year-old from Victoria, B.C., is entering the final year of the contract he signed in 2024 after returning from his time in the NFL. 

He’s coming off a 2025 campaign where he hit career highs in passing yards (5,290), touchdown passes (31), rushing yards (564) and rushing TDs (10). 

Rourke was named both the league’s most outstanding player and the top Canadian after helping the Lions finish second in the West Division with an 11-7 record. 

B.C. edged the Calgary Stampeders in the West semifinal before falling to eventual Grey Cup winners, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, in the division final. 

Rourke was originally picked 15th overall by the Lions in the 2020 CFL draft and has tallied 11,174 passing yards with 63 touchdowns over 50 regular-season games. 

He headed south in 2023 to pursue an NFL career, spending time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons before returning to B.C. in August 2024. 

“I’m honoured to continue my lifelong dream as a professional football player with the B.C. Lions,” Rourke said in a statement on Tuesday. “I’m fortunate to be part of an organization that believes in me and trusts me to lead both on and off the field.”

Rigmaiden said the Lions wanted to be proactive in getting the quarterback signed long term. 

“Extending him through 2028 puts us in the best possible position to win, and sends the right message to his teammates, the league and B.C. Lions fans everywhere,” the GM said. 

“As Nathan continues to get more comfortable in coach Buck (Pierce’s) offence, we expect to be even more competitive in the future.”

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Allen’s deal covers two years, while Maier signed a one-year contract. Both players became free agents Monday.

Allen, a Guelph, Ont., native, set career highs last season with Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan in total tackles (91), defensive tackles (87), sacks (four) and forced fumbles (three). He was named the Roughriders nominee for the CFL’s top Canadian award.

Maier dressed for all 18 regular-season games in 2025 with Saskatchewan. He completed 56-of-87 passes for 617 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Maier has appeared in 84 career regular-season games with Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders (2021-24). He has completed 1,078-of-1,584 passes (68.1 per cent) for 12,302 yards with 62 TDs and 41 interceptions.

Tiger-Cats sign Canadian defensive lineman

Meanwhile, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Canadian defensive lineman Charbel Dabire on Wednesday.

Dabire, 29, joins the Ticats after spending time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2019, 2021-2025). Dabire appeared in 58 regular-season games with the Riders, registering 41 tackles, four special-teams tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Dabire was a member of Saskatchewan’s Grey Cup-championship roster in 2025.

The 31-year-old Canadian safety announced his CFL retirement Monday, after five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. Dequoy, of l’Île-Bizard, Que., is scheduled to meet with reporters Tuesday in Montreal.

Slated to become a free agent Feb. 10, Dequoy said he had a deal with Montreal on the table but ultimately decided to walk away from the game.

Montreal took the six-foot-three, 198-pound Dequoy in the second round, No 14 overall, in the 2020 CFL draft. The league didn’t play that season, and Dequoy attended the Green Bay Packers’ rookie mini-camp.

Dequoy joined the Alouettes in time for the 2021 CFL season, appearing in 73 regular-season games with Montreal, earning league all-star honours in 2023 and ’24 while helping the Als win a Grey Cup title in 2023.

Dequoy registered 162 tackles, 21 special-teams tackles, three sacks, five forced fumbles and 12 interceptions while scoring three TDs over his CFL career.

“I want to thank (Als owner) Pierre Karl Péladeau, (GM) Danny Maciocia, and the Montreal Alouettes for allowing me to live out my childhood dream and spend my career in Montreal,” he said in a statement. “There was a genuine desire to return, and we had an agreement on the table, but after discussing it with my loved ones late into the night, I realized my body was no longer ready for that kind of sacrifice.

“I will never forget the fans of this city and all the love they gave me throughout my career. I cherished every second of my time in Montreal, and I leave at peace, with a clear mind.”

He appeared in 15 regular-season games in 2025, recording 34 tackles, four special-teams tackles, three sacks and an interception return for a touchdown as Montreal reached the Grey Cup game before losing 25-17 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Dequoy played collegiately at the University of Montreal, helping the Carabins reach the 2019 Vanier Cup. He was a U Sports all-star in 2017, ’18 and ’19.

“I want to thank Marc-Antoine for the service he has given us since the beginning of his career with us,” said Maciocia, formerly the Montreal Carabins head coach. “I recruited him out of the Université de Montréal when he was playing at the CEGEP level, and I have always admired his talent as well as his warm and charismatic personality.

“He played a key role in our Grey Cup championship in 2023 and has been deeply involved in all of our community initiatives since joining the nest. We will miss him, but I am confident he will enjoy great success in the job market in the years ahead.”

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No shortage of agreements in principle with CFL negotiation window opening

CFL Moves Roundup: Elks release QB Ford, commit to Fajardo for 2026 season

The CFL negotiation window — the time when teams can contact pending free agents — opened at noon ET on Sunday. Within a half hour, reports came that DB Jonathan Moxey had agreed to terms with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Starting on Sunday, teams can contact and make binding, registered and non-retractable offers to pending free agents. The window closes next Sunday, after which current teams have a 48-hour period to speak with their own pending free agents.

Before free agency officially opens Feb. 10, players have the right to accept any offer made to them. If they opt not to accept any, they can become free agents and previous binding offers will no longer be valid.

Other agreements reported Sunday included:

— Winnipeg also reaching two-year deals with Canadian receiver Tommy Nield, offensive lineman Jarrell Broxton and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, both Americans.

— Edmonton coming to terms with offensive linemen Coulter Woodmansey and Brendan Bordner, defensive lineman Malik Carney and quarterback Taylor Powell. Woodmansey is Canadian, the other three are Americans.

— Ottawa agreeing to terms with American running back Greg Bell, who ran for a career-high 1,038 yards last season with Hamilton, and returner James Letcher Jr., another American who spent last season with Montreal. The Redblacks also reach an agreement with Canadian linebacker A.J. Allen, who had 87 tackles last season with Saskatchewan.

— The Toronto Argonauts agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with American defensive back Robert Priester. He was with the Argos from 2022-24 — winning Grey Cups in ’22 and ’24 — before spending last season with Ottawa.

— The B.C. Lions agreeing to a two-year deal with defensive back Demerio Houston. The 29-year-old American, a 2023 CFL all-star, appeared in five games last year with Winnipeg but has 14 career interceptions in 50 regular-season contests with the Bombers (2020-23) and Calgary (2024).

— With Bordner agreeing to a deal with Edmonton, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats reached an agreement in principle with Eric Lofton, an American offensive lineman who spent the last two seasons with Winnipeg.

One player drawing much interest Sunday was American receiver Ayden Eberhardt. The 27-year-old set career highs last year for catches (45), yards (863) and TDs (four) with the B.C. Lions.

Eberhart’s 19.2-yard average per catch was second-highest in the CFL behind Calgary’s Damien Alford (20.4). Alford, 24, of Montreal, signed with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints this off-season.

Three teams were reportedly also interested in Houston. The 29-year-old appeared in five games last year with Winnipeg but has 14 career interceptions in 50 regular-season contests with the Bombers and Calgary.

Before the window opened, a league source told The Canadian Press that Edmonton had restructured American defensive back Chelen Garnes’s rookie contract. The Elks redid his second year (2026) and extended Garnes through 2027, with the new deal being worth $200,000 in hard money with a maximum value of $210,000.

Garnes had 62 tackles and an interception last year and was Edmonton’s nominee for the CFL’s outstanding rookie award. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as Edmonton hadn’t announced the move.

Also, the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders signed American running back A.J. Ouellette — who was a pending free agent — to a one-year extension. The five-foot-eight, 208-pound Ouellette was the CFL’s second-leading rusher last season with 1,222 yards and a team-high nine TDs.

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“In professional sports, any type of stability is hard to come by, so you jump at opportunities like this,” Rourke told reporters Wednesday. “To come back and to continue to battle for Grey Cups every year with this organization is certainly something I didn’t want to pass up.”

The Lions announced Tuesday they’d signed Rourke through the 2028 season. The 27-year-old from Victoria was entering the final year of the contract he signed in 2024 after returning from his time in the NFL.

Rourke is looking forward to a second season under Buck Pierce, who joined the Lions last year as their head coach/offensive coordinator.

“I think (the Lions) are really close,” he said. “I think we certainly have built a lot of momentum last year and there’s certainly more buzz than there was last year.

“Going into this season, knowing we’re bringing so many people back, that we’re going into the second year under Buck, we just have a ton of confidence.”

Rourke was named the CFL’s outstanding player and top Canadian last season after registering career highs in passing yards (5,290), touchdown passes (31), rushing yards (564) and rushing TDs (10).

With Rourke at the helm, the Lions finished second in the West with an 11-7 record. They defeated the Calgary Stampeders in the West semifinal before a heartbreaking 33-30 loss to the eventual Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders in the division final.

Neither Rourke nor Neil McEvoy, B.C.’s vice-president of football operations, provided specifics about the contract.

“At the end of the day, he is a premier player in our league and a guy that demands compensation,” said McEvoy. “We live in a salary cap world, and we were able to make things work for both parties.”

Rourke hinted he may have taken a little less money for the security of a new deal and give the Lions some financial room to sign free agents.

“I always want to make sure we have the opportunity to re-sign guys and keep players that are going to make me better,” he said. “Ultimately, I want to win championships.

“I think we would agree (this) deal is something that we’re all comfortable with and happy with moving forward.”

Entering his fifth season with the Lions, Rourke said he feels more comfortable in the CFL and the role he plays on and off the field.

“I’ve made some strides,” he said. “I think there’s room to improve and that’s very exciting for me mentally.

“I thought I took some steps in the right direction in terms of dealing with expectations and external pressure. I just saw myself mature throughout the year and I saw this team mature as well.”

One goal Rourke has this year is reducing his interceptions. The 16 he threw last year were tied for most in the CFL with Winnipeg’s Zach Collaros.

“For me, the No. 1 highest priority is limiting the amount of interceptions,” he said. “The goal for next year is keeping that in single digits.

“Things are going to happen, balls are going to be tipped, but I’m going to do whatever I can do in my control and not turn the ball over and not put our defence in tough situations.”

Rourke was selected in the second round, 15th overall, by B.C. in the 2020 CFL draft. In 50 regular-season games, he has completed 795-of-1,1115 passes for 11,174 yards, 63 touchdowns and 40 interceptions.

The mobile six-foot-one, 209-pound quarterback has also rushed 142 times for 1,192 yards and 27 touchdowns.

In four years as a starter, Rourke has a record of 23-13.

Rourke spent two years with the Lions before heading south in 2023 to pursue an NFL career. He spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons before returning to B.C. in August 2024.

Rourke said he’s happy with the Lions and doubts he would give the NFL another try.

“I’ve seen the grass isn’t necessarily greener over there,” he said. “It would take a whole bunch for me to leave the situation (here). I feel like this organization has given me the best opportunity as a player to improve year after year.

“The fact we’ve got another three seasons, I feel like I’m going to be a better player at the end of these three seasons.”

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The 27-year-old Ford, from Niagara Falls, Ont., started the 2025 season as the Elks’ starting quarterback but lost the job to Fajardo after a 1-4 start to the season.

Fajardo, who was traded by the Alouettes to Edmonton in December 2024 after being displaced in Montreal by rising star Davis Alexander, went 6-7 for the remainder of the season and passed for 3,408 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Ford was originally selected by the club in the first round (eighth overall) of the 2022 CFL Draft. 

In 60 career games with the Elks, Ford passed for 4,651 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 19 interceptions.

The 33-year-old Fajardo, from Brea, Calif., is entering his 11th CFL season. He was named the MVP of the 2023 Grey Cup when he led Montreal to a 28-24 win over Winnipeg.

The commitment to Fajardo comes a day after the Elks signed star receiver Austin Mack, who was a favourite target of Fajardo that season.

“We believe a fresh start is in the best interests of both Tre and the organization,” Elks general manager Ed Hervey said in a release.

“This decision should not be viewed as a reflection of Tre’s character or ability as a player, but rather as a strategic move aligned with our goal of building the most competitive football team possible for 2026.”

Fields re-signs with Riders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed defensive back DaMarcus Fields to a two-year contract extension.

The native of Taylor, Texas, posted career-highs in 2025 with 57 defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles, two interceptions and a team-leading eight pass knockdowns over 18 regular season games.

Fields added five defensive tackles and one special teams tackle in the playoffs as Saskatchewan defeated Montreal 25-17 in the Grey Cup.

Fields has played all 36 regular-season games since joining the Riders in 2024.

Tiger-Cats re-sign Talbert

The Tiger-Cats have re-signed defensive back Destin Talbert.

The 26-year-old from Darien, Ill., has recorded 113 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, five interceptions and one defensive touchdown since joining the Ticats in 2024.

He led the team and was second in the league with 12 pass knockdowns last season.

Mayala is back in B.C.

The B.C. Lions have re-signed wide receiver Hergy Mayala to a one-year contract.

Mayala was originally signed to the Lions’ practice roster last August after a stint with the Toronto Argonauts, where he made three receptions for 40 yards in seven appearances.

A veteran of 72 CFL games, the Montreal native was selected eighth overall by the Calgary Stampeders in 2019. 

He hauled in 67 receptions for 846 yards and five touchdowns across two seasons with the Stamps.

Mayala moved to his hometown Alouettes from 2022-23, recording 40 catches for 527 yards and two majors in 20 games.

He signed with the Edmonton Elks for 2024 and registered 47 receptions for 503 yards and five touchdown grabs.

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Lauther, 35, of Truro, N.S., made 39-of-54 field goal attempts last season. The 72.2 per cent success ratio was the worst of his eight-year tenure in Saskatchewan.

Lauther was entering his 10th CFL season, starting his career in 2013 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He has made 301-of-370 career field goals (81.4 per cent) and 210-of-225 converts (93.3 per cent).

With Saskatchewan, Lauther made 295-of-360 field-goal attempts. His 81.9 per cent accuracy rate is the best in franchise history for a player with 100 or more tries.

Lauther has amassed 1,113 points over his CFL tenure.

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The six-foot-three, 283-pound defensive lineman was listed Thursday among the participants for the combine, which will be held in Edmonton on March 27-29. Pene, a former New England Patriot, was added to the CFL’s 2026 Global list last week, making him eligible for the league’s Global draft.

Pene is a native of Tours, France, who played collegiately at Virginia Tech, both as a tight end and defensive lineman. He appeared in 34 games for the Hokies, registering 73 total tackles (nine for loss) with five sacks.

In 2024, Pene recorded 33 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He joined the Patriots in 2025 as an undrafted free agent and, after attending rookie camp, signed an NFL contract with New England.

However, the Patriots were forced to release Pene after his international visa, which he obtained while playing at Virginia Tech, expired, and he wasn’t able to remain in the United States.

Pene, a two-time All-New England selection in high school and in 2019, helped the St. Thomas More Prep Chancellors post a 7-1 record as a tight end and defensive lineman. He registered eight catches for 183 yards with four TDs on offence while posting 47 tackles (11 for loss), 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles along with a blocked punt.

Eight players who were listed on the CFL Scouting Bureau’s winter list of the top-20 prospects for the ’26 league draft will also attend the national combine. They include East Carolina offensive lineman Darius Bell (Hamilton, No. 12), South Alabama linebacker Darius McKenzie (Ottawa, No, 13), Michigan State defensive back Devynn Cromwell (Toronto, No. 14), Louisiana Tech offensive lineman Jonathan Denis (Homestead, Fla., No. 15), Coastal Carolina offensive lineman Aamari Notice (Toronto, No. 16), North Dakota receiver Nate DeMontagnac (Mississauga, Ont., No. 18), Purdue offensive lineman Giordano Vaccaro (Winnipeg, No. 19) and Laval tight end/fullback Emeric Boutin (L’Assomption, Que., No. 20).

The CFL also announced Thursday it will hold an invitation combine on March 6 in Waterloo, Ont., on the campus of the University of Waterloo.

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Blue Bombers sign star receiver Tim White to one-year contract

Mack spent the last three seasons with Montreal, registering 136 catches for 1,973 yards and six touchdowns in 32 regular-season games.

He became available when the Alouettes released him Monday to explore his options ahead of the start of free agency Feb. 10. Mack was due a $45,000 bonus Feb. 1 as part of a four-year deal he signed with Montreal in 2024.

Mack will reunite with Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo, reforming a dangerous tandem that helped the Alouettes win the 2023 Grey Cup.

The 28-year-old from Fort Wayne, Ind., had 78 catches for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns and earned league all-star honours that year, and had a team-high 103 yards and a touchdown in Montreal’s 28-24 Grey Cup victory over Winnipeg.

Mack appeared in just three regular-season contests in 2024 after signing with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons following the ’23 campaign. He added 674 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 12 games in 2025.

The Elks also signed defensive lineman Jared Brinkman to a two-year extension.

He had a career-high 23 defensive tackles in 16 games in his first season in Edmonton in 2025, along with two sacks and three tackles for loss.

Brinkman helped Toronto to Grey Cup titles in 2022 and 2024.

Running back Butler, OL Allen re-sign with Lions

The B.C. Lions have signed star running back James Butler to a two-year extension and offensive lineman Dejon Allen to a one-year contract extension.

The 30-year-old Butler, from Chicago, was eligible to become a free agent on Feb. 10. 

Butler set career highs with 1,213 rushing yards and a CFL-best 11 rushing touchdowns on 229 carries last season.

He added 46 receptions for 439 yards and one TD across 17 regular-season games.

Butler has rushed for 4,408 yards and 29 touchdowns and added eight TDs on 1,965 receiving yards over five seasons with B.C. and Hamilton.

Before the announcement of his extension, Butler had received praise from Nathan Rourke when the star Lions quarterback discussed his own new contract at a press conference on Wednesday.

“I think JB is just incredibly versatile,” Nathan Rourke said. “He does what we want to do in our offence. I think he’s really underrated in the pass protection game.

“Just his IQ, and all the things he does for us. I’m hoping that works out numbers-wise, again. I’m really hoping he’s a guy who can be a B.C. Lion next year.”

Allen was limited to only five games due to an arm injury last season.

Before joining the Lions, he spent four seasons in Toronto. He was a league all-star in 2022 and 2024, helping the Argos win the Grey Cup both seasons.

He was an East Division all-star in 2023 before being named the CFL’s outstanding lineman in a campaign where he helped the Argos to a 16-2 record and third consecutive finish atop the Eastern Division.

KeeSean Johnson returns to Grey Cup champions

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed wide receiver KeeSean Johnson to a two-year contract extension.

The 29-year-old from East Palo Alto, Calif., was a league all-star last season after catching 86 passes for 1,159 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games.

He sustained a knee injury in a Week 19 game against Toronto that sidelined him for the remainder of the 2025 season, including Saskatchewan’s Grey Cup victory over Montreal.

Johnson initially signed with the Roughriders in February 2024 and had 746 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season.

Tiger-Cats re-sign offensive lineman Quinton Barrow

The Tiger-Cats announced have re-signed offensive lineman Quinton Barrow.

The 25-year-old suited up for 18 games at left tackle for Hamilton in the 2025 season.

The six-foot-six, 331-pound native of Inkster, Mich., joined the Ticats ahead of the 2024 season and has suited up for 35 games over two seasons with Hamilton. He was an East Division all-star last year.

Wilson re-signs with Stampeders

CALGARY — The Stampeders have re-signed linebacker Kyle Wilson. Terms of the deal were not released.

Wilson, from Wichita, Kan., had 67 defensive tackles, including one tackle for a loss, six special-teams tackles, one forced fumble and one knockdown in 16 games split between Hamilton and Calgary in 2025.

— With files from freelance reporter Jim Morris in Vancouver.

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Bryant was slated to become a free agent next month.

The six-foot-four, 312-pound left tackle started 14 regular-season games in 2025 with Winnipeg.

Bryant, 39. enters his 11th season with Winnipeg after spending his first five CFL campaigns with the Calgary Stampeders. Bryant has appeared in 234 career regular-season contests, earning eight league all-star selections and four times being named its top offensive lineman.

Bryant has made seven Grey Cup appearances, winning three.

Argonauts sign veteran linebacker Judge to contract extension

TORONTO — Cameron Judge is sticking with the Toronto Argonauts.

The Canadian linebacker signed a one-year extension with the CFL club which keeps him in Toronto through the 2027 season. Financial details weren’t divulged but according to a league source the restructured deal includes $410,000 in hard money and a $50,000 signing bonus with a maximum value of $427,000.

Toronto reacquired Judge in a trade with Calgary last off-season and the 31-year-old from Montreal responded by being nominated as Toronto’s top defensive player in 2025. The six-foot, 230-pound Judge appeared in all 18 regular-season games, posting 79 tackles, four special-teams tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one touchdown.

He spent the previous three seasons with Calgary, registering 241 tackles, eight sacks, seven interceptions, five forced fumbles and a TD in 52 games. 

Judge originally signed with Toronto in 2021, appearing in eight games. He began his CFL career in Saskatchewan (2017-19).

The Argos also released Canadian offensive lineman Darius Ciraco and American defenisve lineman Dere Parish, both CFL veterans

Alouettes, receiver Austin Mack agree to mutual release

MONTREAL — Austin Mack is getting a head start on CFL free agency.

The veteran receiver announced on social media Monday that he’s been told by the Montreal Alouettes that they’re “moving in a different direction.” A CFL source said both Mack and the franchise have mutually agreed to a release.

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as Montreal hadn’t yet formally announced the move. 

That allows Mack to sign with another CFL team before the start of free agency Feb. 10. He’d been due a $45,000 bonus on Feb. 1.

Mack, 28, spent three seasons with Montreal, registering 136 catches for 1,973 yards and six TDs in 32 regular-season games. He helped the Alouettes win the ’24 Grey Cup but didn’t play in the club’s championship loss in 2025 due to a hamstring injury.

The six-foot-one, 208-pound Mack had 48 catches for 674 yards and two touchdowns in 12 regular-season contests last season.

Mack’s best season with Montreal was 2023, when he had 78 catches for 1,154 yards and four TDs and earned All-CFL honours. He appeared in just three regular-season contests in 2024 after signing with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons following the ’23 campaign.

Ottawa Redblacks re-sign veteran receiver Justin Hardy

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks re-signed veteran American receiver Justin Hardy on Monday.

Contract details weren’t divulged. Hardy was slated to become a free agent next month.

Hardy, 34, had 78 catches for 1,019 yards and eight TDs last season in being named an East Division All-CFL selection.

Hardy enters his fifth season with Ottawa, having registered 304 catches for 3,787 yards and 16 TDs in 59 regular-season contests. He has cracked the 1,000-yard receiving plateau in each of the last three years.

Saskatchewan Roughriders sign offensive lineman Brammer to extension

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed American offensive lineman Jacob Brammer to a one-year extension Monday.

Brammer was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

The six-foot-four, 301-pound Brammer appeared in 17 regular-season games in 2025 for the Grey Cup-champion Riders. He earned his first All-CFL selection as Saskatchewan allowed just 26 sacks while boasting the league’s second-leading rusher in A.J. Ouellette (1,222 yards).

Brammer also started both the West Division final and Grey Cup for Saskatchewan.

Brammer made his CFL debut July 19, 2024. He went on to play four more games that season before suiting up in the West semifinal and division final.

White was released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Monday in advance of the free agent market opening on Feb. 10.

The 31-year-old spent the last five seasons with the Ticats, where he was named a CFL all-star in 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as an East Division all-star on four occasions (2021-24). 

White appeared in 83 games over his five years in Hamilton – all starts – and had four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, including pulling in 84 passes for 1,016 yards and seven touchdowns last year.

He totalled 383 catches for 5,488 yards and 33 touchdowns in those five seasons, hitting a career-high eight scores in 2022, 2023 and 2024, along with a career-best 94 receptions in 2022 and a personal high of 1,269 yards in 2023.

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The Alouettes have signed wide receiver Terique Owens, son of Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens, to a two-year deal, the CFL club announced Monday.

Terique Owens was cut by the San Francisco 49ers, the club where his dad made his biggest mark, after the 2025 pre-season. He caught one touchdown pass in exhibition play.

The younger Owens played two years for the Florida Atlantic University Owls (2019–20) and three seasons with Missouri State (2021–2023). He had 528 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 10 games in his final NCAA season.

Terrell Owens ranks third in NFL receiving yards and touchdown receptions. He was a six-time Pro Bowler.

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The committee is recommending, starting this year, games that are tied after overtime be decided by alternating plays from the opposition’s three-yard line until one team scores and the other doesn’t. CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston unveiled the proposal Wednesday during the league’s winter meetings in Calgary.

“It’s probably only happened a handful of times over the last many years … but no one likes a tie,” Johnston said during a video conference.

Only four CFL regular-season games have ended in a tie since 2016, but two occurred in 2024.

The proposal states if a regular-season game is tied after regulation time, the league’s current overtime format of a maximum of two possessions from the opponent’s 35-yard line will continue. But should the score remain even after that, the new proposal would be adopted to determine a winner.

Another committee proposal involves the timing for the final three minutes of a half. It recommends a 20-second play clock be implemented in place of the 35-second clock, which is being adopted this season.

“We’re going to encourage our officials to make sure that they are running those last few minutes as efficiently as possible when they blow in the clock,” Johnston said.

And a third is to have the ball come out to the 40-yard line, instead of the 30, if it’s kicked through the end zone or hits the upright. Those three recommendations require approval by the CFL’s board of governors.

There will be plenty of change already this year as no single point will be awarded for missed field goals, punts or kickoffs that go through the end zone — either in the air or via a bounce.

If a returner fields a missed field goal, punt or kickoff in the end zone and either kneels or is tackled before advancing the ball past the goal-line, a single will be awarded.

In addition to the time clock, each CFL stadium will have team benches on opposite sides of the field to facilitate substitutions.

The biggest moves come in 2027 when CFL fields will be modified. They’ll be reduced from 110 yards to 100 yards, end zones will go from 20 yards to 15 yard and goalposts will be moved from the goal-line to the back of the reconfigured end zones.

Johnston said there was also plenty of discussion regarding the CFL replay centre, the logistics of league players participating in the ’28 Olympic flag football competition and its playoff format. Johnston also set a self-imposed deadline of before the ’26 season to have a new broadcast agreement in place and added he’d “love to see a 10th team,” join the CFL by 2030.

The CFL’s broadcast deal with TSN is set to expired following the ’26 season.

Discussions regarding player compensation transparency and the league’s inclement weather policy were slated for later Wednesday.

Johnston said it’s important CFL officials rely less on the replay centre.

“We’re trying to balance, of course, getting the call right with gameflow and making sure the game is moving at pace,” Johnston said. “The expression we use is, ‘Clear and obvious,’ so if there’s an egregious error that’s clear and obvious, let’s have the replay centre step in.

“Otherwise it’s the job of the officials on the field to run the game … there are future rules committee meetings coming up in the next couple of months where we will discuss again.”

Talks will continue regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Games and the CFL allowing its players to represent Canada in flag football. Johnston said details must still be ironed out but added the league is “leaning” towards continuing its season during the Games.

Johnston said there was much talk regarding the CFL’s playoff format. 

Currently the CFL splits its teams into the East and West Divisions, with the top-three qualifying for the playoffs. However, if a fourth-place team in one division has more points than the third-place squad in the other, the fourth-place club will cross over and become the opposing division’s third playoff seed.

The second-place teams host the third seeds in the division finals, with the winners visiting the respective first-place finishers in the conference finals. The victors then advance to the Grey Cup.

“One area we’re focused on is how do we have our single biggest championship where a team can possibly win only one game and make it to that championship,” Johnston said. “And can that be solved?

“We want to balance a playoff structure and format against making sure our regular season is meaningful. More to come on that.”

Hicks had been eligible to become a free agent on Feb. 10.

The 27-year-old from Pensacola, Fla., was a West Division all-star and Calgary’s nominee for outstanding defensive player in 2025.

He had a team-leading 12 sacks, 28 tackles, two forced fumbles and six knockdowns in 18 games last season, and added another three defensive tackles in the Stampeders’ loss to B.C. in the West Division semifinal.

Hicks signed with the Stampeders in 2024. He has 42 defensive tackles and 16 sacks in 36 career regular-season CFL games.

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Castillo’s extension is for two years, while Sheahan re-signed for one year. Both players were scheduled to become free agents in February.

The 35-year-old Castillo has been the Blue Bombers’ kicker for the past three seasons in his third stint with the club.

He made 48 field goals last season, including a CFL record-tying 63-yard kick in a loss to Calgary in August.

Castillo, who also played for the Bombers in 2015 and 2021, has appeared in 61 games for the Bombers and is fourth in franchise scoring with 639 points.

The kicker from La Joya, Texas, won a Grey Cup with the Bombers in 2021 and was a league all-star with the B.C. Lions in 2019. He has also kicked for Ottawa, Hamilton and Edmonton.

Sheahan finished 2025 with a punting average of 47.8 yards on 94 punts and a net average of 38.4 yards. 

His 47.8-yard average was the second-highest in Blue Bombers history to Jon Ryan’s 50.6 average in 2005.

Sheahan is entering his fourth season with Winnipeg after he was selected eighth overall in the CFL’s 2023 Global Draft.

Stampeders re-sign Brooks

CALGARY — The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed American receiver Erik Brooks to a two-year contract.

Brooks was eligible to become a free agent in February.

Brooks played all 18 regular-season games (14 starts) in 2025 and had 51 catches for 824 yards, two touchdowns and a two-point convert.

He also had 31 kickoff returns for 665 yards and 33 punt returns for 335 yards and a touchdown.

The 26-year-old from Irvine, Calif., native joined the Stampeders in 2024 and in six games had 633 all-purpose yards and a touchdown that season.

The Stampeders also signed American linebacker R.J. Moten, who played NCAA football with Michigan and Florida.

Roughriders sign quarterback Coan to a one-year extension

REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American quarterback Jack Coan to a one-year extension.

Coan has completed 12 passes for 138 yards and a touchdown in 23 games since joining the Roughriders before the 2024 season.

The veteran linebacker signed a one-year deal Friday with the team he enjoyed his best CFL season with in 2023. The move came just three days after Pickett, 29, and the Ottawa Redblacks agreed to mutually part ways.

That was surprising given Pickett had earned division all-star honours in both of his seasons with Ottawa, including ’24 when he was limited to 13 regular-season games due to an Achilles injury. 

After agreeing to take a pay cut in 2025, the California native not only reported to camp on time but didn’t miss any practices or games because of the injury.

A pending free agent, Pickett said the slow nature of contract talks with Ottawa contributed to his departure.

“The biggest thing is the negotiation was real slow, almost to none,” Pickett said during a video conference Friday. “Almost like they were indecisive about if they wanted me to be there or not.

“I took a pay cut and understood all that but I came back and did exactly what I said I was going to do. I was ready to go the first day of camp, I didn’t miss one practice, I didn’t miss one game the whole season and was arguably one of the best players on defence for them. When that (slow negotiation) happened, we hit them up and talked about it and we mutually parted ways.”

Pickett was the East Division’s top defensive player in ’23 playing for then Toronto head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, who became Ottawa’s head coach/general manager this off-season. But Pickett, a divisional all-star the last three years, said his discussions were with Shawn Burke, the Redblacks’ vice-president of football operations.

If talks with Ottawa were slow, discussions with Toronto heated up immediately following Pickett’s release. The Argos were one of four teams interested in Pickett but he said they outdid the others.

“Right when it was news that I was released, Pinball (Argos GM Mike Clemons) hit me up literally 30 seconds later,” Pickett said. “I talked to him, I talked to coach Quick (defensive co-ordinator Greg Quick), I talked to coach Miller (head coach Mike Miller).

“The other teams, it was kind of sporadic throughout the day. With all due respect to them, I liked that Toronto did everything back to back to back and I knew the interest level was high there.”

Pickett established career highs in tackles (105), special-teams tackles (19), sacks (six), and a forced fumble in ’23. He was also a CFL and East all-star in helping Toronto post a CFL-best 16-2 record before losing 38-17 to the eventual Grey Cup-champion Montreal Alouettes in the division final.

Pickett’s deal with Toronto is worth $191,000 in hard money and includes an $80,000 signing bonus. It has a total value of $202,000.

This marks Quick’s third coaching stint with Toronto but first as defensive co-ordinator. He was Montreal’s linebacker coach when Pickett began his CFL career there (2021-22) and Pickett said Quick’s presence with the Argos also factored in his decision.

“He’s a very good coach,” Pickett said. “We were on the phone for like 35-40 minutes and I listened to his philosophy, what he sees, where he wants to take the defence and how he plans to utilize me.”

Pickett also reunites with Canadian linebacker Cam Judge as the two were teammates at UCLA (2014-16). Any other year, they’d flank standout middle linebacker Wynton McManis but he’s a pending free agent.

Re-signing McManis remains a huge off-season priority for Clemons. Pickett plans to do his part in trying to convince McManis to stay.

“That’s my dog right there,” Pickett said “We always talked when I was in Ottawa about possibly playing together again and the opportunity is there right now.

“I know (contract negotiations) is a tough process to go through having gone through it myself. If everything aligns … we’ll be back playing for the Double Blue and that would be exciting.”

More importantly, Pickett is in a much better place now to tackle his off-season preparation.

“I’m excited about this off-season because last year I had to relearn how to do stuff coming off that injury,” he said. “It was a scary one, for real.

“Moving forward, it’s just putting in that same level of work. But I’m in a way better position where I am right now.”

Pickett has appeared in 79 career regular-season games, registering 337 tackles, 66 special-teams tackles, 14 sacks, five forced fumbles and four interceptions.

Hamilton, which finished atop the East Division in 2025, received five As and five Bs in the CFL Players’ Association’s second annual team report cards, which were released Wednesday. 

The top grades came in football operations, facilities/equipment, strength and conditioning, team travel and training camp while Bs were for coaching staff, ownership/business operations, therapy/medical staff, nutrition/diet and treatment of families.

“My club ranked highly last year and still elected to make improvements,” a player remarked anonymously about the Ticats. “This club is the class of the CFL and goes beyond the call of duty.

“They even hosted Thanksgiving dinner for the players AND their families.”

The Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders also earned five As (coaching staff, football operations, strength and conditioning, team travel and training camp). They received Bs for all but treatment of families, securing a C, while also earning criticism for community appearances.

“Issues with community appearance money,” one player remarked. “Appearances were not offered at the rate expected, very slow.

“Great improvements in nutrition, coaching, family events, strength training, so many improvements. Strength and conditioning staff really levelled up.”

The CFLPA distributed its 78-question survey online to all players on CFL rosters (active and practice rosters and injured list), with 381 sharing their experiences. Last year, 495 participated in the evaluation, which consisted of 58 questions.

The survey included multiple choice, rating, and open-ended questions in each category. Scores were averaged with grades incorporating various aspects of workplace conditions, including the quality of team facilities and services offered.

Only two Fs were given, to the B.C. Lions (nutrition/diet) and Montreal Alouettes (treatment of family).

“The overall nutrition of our team is very below par and what it should be for a professional football team,” a player commented about the Lions. “This needs major improvement.

“Nutrition is 99 per cent on the players here.”

Another said that in Montreal, “Family support and treatment on gameday is non existent and in my opinion needs the most improvement of any category.”

Last year, the Edmonton Elks received the lone two Fs for both nutrition/diet as well as training camp. This time around, the franchise earned C-minus and C-plus grades for the respective categories as well as two As (A-minus for facilities, A-plus for team travel) and no failing marks overall.

But the Elks still faced criticism.

“Terrible rehab planning and extremely inconsistent,” one player commented. “Lack of useful feedback in order to progress from being injured.

“Lack of treatment to both injured and non injured players. Food before and after practice was the best it’s been in years but you have to pay for it.”

And accommodations in Edmonton for visiting players was the most commented issue in the survey, with a player saying: “The hotel in Edmonton is unacceptable.”

Also receiving As were Montreal (A-minus, coaching staff) and the Toronto Argonauts (A for therapy/medical staff and team travel, A-minus for strength and conditioning).

But Montreal earned Ds for ownership/business operations and facilities/equipment. The Calgary Stampeders also received two Ds (therapy/medical staff, treatment of families).

“Not enough trainers and attention to detail,” a player commented about the Alouettes. “Lack of machines that work and are up to date.

“Tubs are consistently broken and not at the right temperatures or maintained for an entire team use. Training room needs a lot of work to keep professional standard.”

Toronto (coaching staff), B.C. (treatment of families) and Ottawa (strength and conditioning) also earned Ds. The Redblacks also drew condemnation for their training camp at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont., last year.

“The facility and lunch room were too far to walk to from your dorm room,” a player said. “The shuttles they had running were not convenient at all and not always available.

“That added much stress to parts of training camp that wasn’t completely necessary.”

The CFLPA again collaborated with Dr. Desmond McEwen, an assistant professor in sport psychology at the University of British Columbia. The union said the survey’s primary goals are to highlight teams that are setting positive examples and identify areas where improvement is needed.

The CFLPA is following in the footsteps of the NFL Players’ Association, which released its first team report cards in 2023.

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Both players were scheduled to become free agents next month.

Neufeld, a Regina native, returns for his 12th season with the Blue Bombers. The three-time all-star started all 18 regular-season games last year. 

Griffin made five starts last season. The Minneapolis, Minn., native is back for his third season with the club.