CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Blue In BC]

Reblacks acquire N. Morgan from the Elks. Santos-Knox is currently a potential free agent.

[Tecno]

You've just described Zach's ideal receiver.

Ya, ok.  But one problem: we have 3 of those already!!  Pokey, Wheatie, Demski are all thinner/speed guys who can go wide out and get a 70Y TD with YAC.

We don't have a bruiser with hands for the short game.  Kenny kind of did that for us a bit when he'd cut inside (those TDs in '24 WDF were amazing).  But even he wasn't ideal there (too skinny & frail).

As such I'd take Johnson over Meyers.  But only for cheap.  In general I don't like all the Green retreads we take in.  I'm not expecting we take any greeners this FA.  Let the other hyenas pounce and steal that GC meat.

[dd]

I think the rider receivers will re sign with the riders, they've got a good thing going, I m sure oday will make them competitive offers and they haven't overcommitted to their star players like we and other teams have. They have more cap space than most teams

[Tecno]

I think the rider receivers will re sign with the riders, they've got a good thing going, I m sure oday will make them competitive offers and they haven't overcommitted to their star players like we and other teams have. They have more cap space than most teams

I'm of the opposite mind.  I think they are in cap heck, and I think the FA sniping will be massive.  Yeah, their O was super budget, but they spent a ton on that D last year -- way more than we did.

Any superstars coming off ELCs will want to get paid.  SSK can't afford to keep many.  The vets in FA will want a bump after they "deserve it" for winning the GC.  And since the SSK system doesn't require top/expensive RECs I think they dump anyone who asks for more than a modest bump.  They'll just draft more Busbys and Pictons to fill the void.

[Blue In BC]

Teams that had any 2025 SMS left probably have spent that by now or close to it. We may see some players signed but bonus money probably due at the beginning of February.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think the rider receivers will re sign with the riders, they've got a good thing going, I m sure oday will make them competitive offers and they haven't overcommitted to their star players like we and other teams have. They have more cap space than most teams

The problem is, due to injury the Riders have accumulated a swatch of receivers that probably think they should be starters and are unlikely to accept being designated as backups.  A little more than a month ago they started 4 Natl's and 1 Import in the GC in order to accomodate a 4 Import O-line as well as a 4 import D-line, that ratio became their bread and butter and fairly sure they don't want to alter it.

Imports
BANE Jr. Shawn
JOHNSON, KeeSean
MEYERS, Dohnte
ROBUSTELLI, Joe

Natl.
Ajou
Busby
EMILUS, Samuel
NIELD, Tommy
PICTON, Mitchell
SCHAFFER-BAKER, Kian

Bolded are already under contract.

[dd]

Ya the riders have the luxury of having several capable receivers to re sign. Sure they ll lose some to FA, but they are deep in receivers so losing 1 or 2 isn't going to break their back.

[Pete]

Ya the riders have the luxury of having several capable receivers to re sign. Sure they ll lose some to FA, but they are deep in receivers so losing 1 or 2 isn't going to break their back.

the recievers numbers may be overstated as the thing they had in common was a very accurate qb. I dont think Meyers or Bane would fair as well in our offence.

[Blue In BC]

Emulus SMS goes from $168K to $285K.  That's about 1/4 of the SMS increase.

[Jesse]

Emulus SMS goes from $168K to $285K.  That's about 1/4 of the SMS increase.

That tracks with the other high end Canadian salaries so far.

[Blue In BC]

That tracks with the other high end Canadian salaries so far.

Probably. The larger question is how much 2025 SMS was left and used by each team and what happens with new SMS in 2026.

I'm all for players getting more but as I've said, just giving a lot more to a select few doesn't improve the roster.

It does seem that some teams had some 2025 SMS left so there should still be some big spending to come in free agency.

[Ridermania]

Can't see Shawn Bane Jr. being offered a contract from the Riders.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Can't see Shawn Bane Jr. being offered a contract from the Riders.

Agree and they might keep Robustelli over Meyers for his versatility. On the Natl. side KSB probably goes to FA to get paid what he thinks he's worth while they try to re-sign Tommy Nield and Picton for his flexibility and backup ability.

KSB is a risky proposition, he's great at YAC and a big target but does not resemble a great route runner to me, he also spends too much time on the IR each season due to his refusal to go down when hit, in 5 seasons he's only played 57 games.

[Jesse]

Probably. The larger question is how much 2025 SMS was left and used by each team and what happens with new SMS in 2026.

I'm all for players getting more but as I've said, just giving a lot more to a select few doesn't improve the roster.

It does seem that some teams had some 2025 SMS left so there should still be some big spending to come in free agency.

If the alternative is your best players leaving, then it does make your roster better than that alternative.