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Sports Football CFL Saskatchewan RoughridersThe Saskatchewan Roughriders have checked off many important tasks that needed to get done this off-season, while a few remain
Published Feb 03, 2025 • Last updated 1 minute ago • 4 minute read
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Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive back Nelson Lokombo (21) celebrates during the second half of CFL playoff action inside Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, November 2, 2024 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post
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It’s been two months since we published the Saskatchewan Roughriders to-do list with 10 things the CFL club needs to get done this off-season.
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Now, it’s time to check in and see how the Green and White are doing as the opening day of free agency nears:
1. Starting quarterback
Last year’s starting quarterback Trevor Harris entered the off-season on an expiring contract. While some fans wanted to see general manager Jeremy O’Day go after Vernon Adams Jr. via trade with the B.C. Lions, O’Day elected to re-sign the 38-year-old veteran Harris, a West Division all-star in 2025, to a one-year extension.
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2. Backup quarterback
With last year’s backup Shea Patterson set to become a free agent, there was also a need for the Roughriders to get experience behind Harris and ahead of third-stringer Jack Coan.
O’Day checked off this box in December as he traded for experienced pivot Jake Maier from the Calgary Stampeders before signing him to a one-year deal.
3. Cornerback
We stated in early December that the Roughriders need to find two shutdown cornerbacks this off-season with Marcus Sayles, Deontai Williams and Amari Henderson on expiring deals.
On Monday, O’Day found one potential starter as he signed Canadian Tevaughn Campbell, a former University of Regina product and former Roughrider (2016), who spent the last six years in the NFL.
4. Re-sign Sayles
Sayles was great for the Roughriders last year after joining the team early in the season following his release from the B.C. Lions.
He was named a CFL all-star and expressed his desire to be back with the team. He would be the answer to securing the other cornerback spot but as of early this week, a deal hasn’t happened yet.
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5. Defensive line
The Roughriders defensive line was great in 2024 and no doubt played a role in their success.
However, key starters like Micah Johnson, Miles Brown, Bryan Cox Jr., and Malik Carney entered the off-season on expiring contracts.
While they weren’t going to keep everybody, the Riders have a solid line now intact after re-signing Carney, adding former Calgary Stampeders all-star Mike Rose, adding former NFL defensive end Shane Ray while also re-signing Canadian Charbel Dabire, who is hoping for a bounce back year after missing most of last season due to injury.
There are still some depth to be added but the job is mostly done.
6. Re-sign Thurman
Re-signing linebacker Jameer Thurman arguably could have been higher on the list but it seemed like it was a deal that was going to get done.
Both sides expressed interest in getting a deal done and eventually, the Riders signed Thurman to a two-year extension in January. Outstanding move.
7. Re-sign Godber
Centre Peter Godber was a big free agent signing by Saskatchewan in 2023 and has anchored the centre of the offensive line when he’s been in the lineup for the past two seasons.
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If Saskatchewan doesn’t re-sign Godber, a pending free agent, the Green and White will need to figure out who is playing centre in 2025.
8. Return specialist
Returner Mario Alford has been good over his career with the Roughriders but he just didn’t seem to have that same spark he once did during the second half of the 2024 season.
While a deal can still get done, it appears there could be a new primary kick returner in Saskatchewan in 2025. However, with Janarion Grant re-signing with Toronto and Devonte Dedmon heading back to Ottawa, who that will be is to be determined.
9. Starting safety
Nelson Lokombo took over the starting safety job in Week 2 from Jayden Dalke and continued to improve as the weeks went along.
The former second overall pick in 2021 entered the off-season on an expiring contract before signing an extension to remain with the team for 2025. It seemed like a pretty logical move for both sides but one that needed to get done.
10. Canadian depth
The Roughriders entered the off-season with 32 pending free agents with 16 of them being Canadian.
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They’ve since signed nine of them, including Lokombo, Dabire and linebacker A.J. Allen, but a few remain pending free agents including receiver Mitch Picton.
Plus, they recently lost Canadian receiver Ajou Ajou to the NFL. While the Riders are still in a good position, there’s always a need to add Canadian depth through free agency and the draft.
tshire@postmedia.com
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