Catching up on Roughriders offseason before it goes gaga

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For the team supposedly in the offseason, CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders Were in the news cycle recently.

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This is not very surprising. This is the province where “Racers defenseman Trevor Harris could catch a cold” could likely grab the headlines. Everything the Roughriders do is discussed in online forums and resurfaced on social media, from Blue Sky to Tik Tok, if the latter is still available, and the former continues to be looped by anxious followers from the platform's embarrassing owner and controversial salader, Elon Musk. With his Saskatchewan roots, it's possible Musk is also a fan of racing drivers.

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Saskatchewan's favorite topics are still obviously the legislature, crops, weather, Trudeau, Trump and the professional football team, all to varying degrees. And it will go to Gaga as the CFL to CFL negotiation window opens.

The Roughriders have signed several unknown rookies plus 10 of 32 potential free agents since Harris accepted contract extension Before Christmas and recently adding commitments such as linebacker Jamer Thurman and defensive end Malik Carney.

So let's see if we have it right.

The Roughriders lost two assistant coaches and – due to a CFL vendor setup – gained three in former University of Regina coach/player Josh Donnelly, veteran linebackers coach Travis Brown and First coach Andrew Harrisa record tail with three CFL teams whose green and white alliance certainly surprised his Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans.

Former linebackers coach JC Sherritt has become the defensive coordinator of the Edmonton Elks, while running backs coach Anthony Vitale has left for undisclosed personal reasons. Offensive coordinator Mark Mueller and defensive backs coach Joshua Bell were candidates for other jobs elsewhere but will spend their second season together on head coach Corey Mays' staff.

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“You know guys are going to want to take the next step in their careers,” Roughriders general manager Jeremy O'Day said.

“If you're going to hire good people, they'll get other opportunities. I hope you can save as much as possible.”

Two promising players were waived so they could pursue more lucrative careers in the NFL – left-hander Trevor Reid with the Minnesota Vikings and Receiver Update Update with the Indianapolis Colts. If Reid and Ajou don't make NFL rosters, the roughnecks retain their CFL rights for the duration of their current contracts. Reid was Saskatchewan Rookie of the Year While Ajou was a steal of the 2024 CFL draft, taken in the seventh round.

“You go into the offseason knowing some players that could have an opportunity in the NFL,” O'Day said. “I've seen some guys get one training session and get offered a contract, and other guys who get 10 training sessions and don't sign.

“Most of the time teams will give you their head, whether it’s an offer or not. So you're happy for them, but disappointed for us.”

While members of the organization visited communities and classrooms across the province, usually hosted by the Saskatchewan Growrider Foundation, O'Day acquired and Signed defenseman Jake Mayer from the Calgary Stampeders. Mayer, Calgary's starter for the past 2 1/2 seasons, was a pending free agent and fits between Harris and second-year defenseman Jack Kohn on the depth chart.

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That likely means backup quarterback Shea Patterson, who became Saskatchewan's starter last season while Harris was sidelined with a knee injury, doesn't fit into this year's plans. But O'Day was careful not to reveal the fate of any free agents, including players he might pursue.

O'Day admitted it's impossible to keep his roster completely the same, even after a 9-8-1 playoff record, but there are some players who need to be re-evaluated. They include defensive back Marcus Sales and center Peter Godber.

Their prerogative is to wait until the negotiation window opens, hear some competing offers and re-sign or go elsewhere.

Take Jermarcus Hardrick, a free agent acquisition who spent most of 2024 on Saskatchewan's injury list, has decided to stay. Hardrick was released and added by the Roughriders on Tuesday, according to CFL transactions. This indicates Hardrick was renegotiating his contract, likely for less than his previous deal.

Straight ahead – free agent madnessThe CFL combines for collegiate drafts March 21-23 in Regina, college and global drafts April 29, followed by rookie and training camps through May, leading up to the regular season rookie June 5 when the Rogeriders take on the Ottawa Redblacks. The offseason is obviously over.

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