‘A different situation’: Riders’ GM speaks ahead of CFL free agency

Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Jeremy O'Day speaks during a press conference held at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Bell

Saskatchewan Roughriders’ General Manager Jeremy O’Day says his roster is in a solid position heading into the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) free agent negotiation period.

Speaking to reporters virtually from a scouting trip in Dallas, Texas Thursday, O’Day said this year’s free agency will look different for the team compared to 2024.

“It’s a lot different,” he said. “Last year we were just getting our coaching staff in place and really going through and evaluating the free agents and any roster adjustments or changes that we needed to improve on.”

“This year, the staff’s in place. A lot of the free agents we signed last year are currently still with us or we’ve re-signed,” O’Day added.

• Download the CTV News app to get breaking news alerts sent to your device

Sunday marks the opening of the free agency communication window, where teams can openly talk with pending free agents or their CFLPA-registered designates.

The window has been in use since 2020 and was created as a way to curb tampering and allow pending free agents to explore and better understand their options ahead of the market’s official opening. The negotiation window will remain open for exactly seven days, closing on Feb. 9.

• Riders release rookie receiver Ajou Ajou to pursue NFL opportunity
• Riders sign Super Bowl, Grey Cup winning defensive lineman
• Roughriders sign newly acquired QB Jake Maier

O’Day says he’s hopeful the Riders will not have to rely on free agency to fill the remaining holes in its roster.

“It’s difficult with the salary cap,” he said. “Best case, you’d love to have a situation where you’re just building through your drafting and scouting. But it doesn’t always happen that way. Contracts don’t always come out at the right time.”

As of noon Thursday, Saskatchewan has 20 pending free agents left unsigned.

Including some big names like defensive linemen Micah Johnson and Anthony Lanier III, as well as defensive back Marcus Sayles.

O’Day still could re-sign any of the 20 players prior to the negotiation period’s opening, or even after it closes.

He adds the front office has three classes the team puts players in at this time of year.

“There’s [players] we’ve already offered contracts to,” O’day explained. “We do still have some offers out there we’re still working on. And then there’s some players that we may still offer, but it’s yet to be determined.”

“And there’s some players that we probably won’t offer [a contract to],” he added.

After free agency, O’Day will begin preparing for the CFL Draft on April 29.

Riders’ training camp is slated to open May 11.